Ummm (and a giveaway)

Hello! I'm still here, I just haven't had much time to post on the blog since Maura is now tall and mobile and yeah... The toddler years are upon us. I thought I could quilt for little bits here and there and keep Maura entertained and out of trouble with all of the toys that light up and make noise in my studio. I *thought* (like a naive first-time mom) that since I could hear her I didn't need to keep an eye on her like a hawk. I WAS WRONG.

One day I was quilting along trying to finish a section after she woke up from her nap and I turn around to see this:

And then I had a mini heart attack. And it's only gotten worse since. Maura is now 13 months old and is half my height. No joke. So not only is she young and inquisitive, she can get into so much more because shes so tall. She didn't get her height from me!

But alas, I'm still quilting away like a mad woman (during naps and bedtime) and you can see everything I'm working on (or everything I'm allowed to show) on my Facebook page (Ruby Blue Quilting Studio) and Instagram (@rubybluequilts). It's so much easier for me to post quick little tidbits over there than blog posts here. So for the meantime that will be where you can see the most updates.

I'm still adjusting my quilting schedule (on a separate page you can get to here) and you can check back often to see progress. It's not up-to-the-minute updates, but you get the idea.

And finally, the giveaway. Martingale wanted to celebrate the release of The Big Book of Strip Quilts and you can hop over to their blog here to enter to win an ebook.

There are 60 (yes that's six-zero) quilts in this book that all use 2.5" strips. So it's time to bust out those jelly rolls you've been hoarding, maybe use up those leftover strips you have in your stash, or just cut your own out of those lovely piles of fabrics staring at you all day long. There are so many amazing quilts in this ginormous book from a variety of your favorite authors, there's something in here for everyone. I am so lucky to have three quilts in this book, one is Roll of Stamps pictured above.

And like it was meant to be, my very own copy arrived at my doorstep yesterday. Like magic! So head on over to Martingale's blog and enter for a chance to win! You have through the 25th to enter!

So that's what's going on here. Don't be a stranger on the other social media platforms, and if you need anything you can always shoot me an email too.

Yes I'm here. Yes I'm still quilting. And yes I spend my days chasing a crazy toddler. Life is good :)

Calendar Giveaway and a Sale!!!

It's that time of year again! I can't believe it myself...

Time to pick out which Martingale Calendar is going to grace your wall for 2017! Yes, they are out and ready for your enjoyment (I'm pretty sure, if they're not out yet it'll be soon)

I got the wonderful news that I have a quilt in the Quilt Calendar 2017 (click here to purchase your own calendar):

I'm Miss August. Or atleast my Wayfarer quilt from Seems Like Scrappy is. See:

One of the best parts of this particular calendar is the wide variety of quilts to gaze at throughout the year. Oh, and the fact the instructions to make all of the quilts are included and that's pretty cool too. Yes, you read that right. It's like a calendar and a quilt book all in one.

The quilts are all gorgeous and its so wonderful to have this collection. Would you like one? You would? Well that's wonderful because one lucky reader will get a copy of this calendar - just leave me a comment below and you're entered! I will pick a winner Monday August 1st! Good luck!

Also, don't forget in the meantime my entire online store is having a sale in honor of my birthday month. Just enter the code HAPPYBDAY for 31% off all books, magazines and patterns. Sale runs through July 31st, so act fast!

Seems Like Scrappy Preview: Tic Tac Tile

I get asked a lot where I get my inspiration from. Whether it's inspiration for designing the quilts, the quilting itself or choosing the fabrics, I get inspiration from everywhere and everything. I swear! And it's different for every quilt. If you ask several designers, they will probably tell you the same thing, we get inspiration from the craziest things.

For me personally, each quilt offers a unique perspective into my creative mind and they are all different. Some quilts I know exactly what fabrics I want to use, but have no idea on how to quilt it. Some it's the reverse... I know exactly how it should be quilted, but I can't quilt it if I can't decide on which fabrics to choose first to actually make the quilt.

With some projects however, it's as simple as being inspired by an antique quilt that was constructed in the most hap-hazard way known to man. Granted I know they didn't have rotary cutters and half of the rulers and notions we have to help us create our quilts... BUT. It breaks my heart to see a quilt that's such an easy breakdown and to see it constructed in the craziest way. This quilt was inspired by one of these antique quilts. Meet Tic Tac Tile:

Photo used with permission from Martingale. Photography by Brent Kane. All rights reserved. 

Quilting by Steve Kooistra. 

When I first saw this design as an antique quilt, it was a single block put on point and each block had bias edges and about 20 pieces to it. It was such a simple concept to the eye, that I chose to pay homage to the work from yesteryear and sprinkle in my innovation of today.

Tic Tac Tile uses a Layer Cake (10" squares) and a Jelly Roll (2 1/2" strips) to get this top. It's simple construction and half of the cutting is already done for you by using precuts. This would be a great retreat project or a quilt for a first time/beginner quilter because it's so easy to make, yet gets big results fast. Or to be completely honest, it's one of those almost mindless quilts when you still want to make something but you just got done with a quilt that made you want to tear your hair out...We've all been there where we just want a simple quick quilt with immediate results. This quilt finishes at a large lap size but could easily fit a twin bed with borders added to it.

I have been pondering recreating this quilt too (like several others I've talked about already) and I just got my materials to do so. It's going to look completely different and I can't wait to get started! I'm almost done with my second version of Splotch and next on deck is the alternate version of Patch Stack I've already shown to you. As soon as I finish them up, I will be posting them on here!

Seems Like Scrappy contains 14 different (and brand new) scrappy inspired patterns you can create with precuts or your stash (use precuts if you don't have a stash but still want that scrappy look). I've been showing several of the quilts from the book and I will be back each Monday to show you more. Seems Like Scrappy will be out this June, but look in my shop in the near future and I will be adding a preorder option if you'd like your copy to be signed by me! I'll let you know when I get to that point! Have a great Monday!

Seems Like Scrappy Preview: Wayfarer

So far I've shown you quilts that use layer cakes, Tonga 6-packs and fat quarters, so today I'm going to show you a quilt that uses jelly rolls! Meet Wayfarer:

Photo provided by Martingale, photography by Brent Kane

I love Trip Around the World blocks. I just haven't made one yet... And I love Bargello quilts and the movement they give, but I haven't made one of those either. Instead I made Wayfarer which is my interpretation of what I like best in both of those styles in one quilt.

Obviously, this version of this quilt has a prominent secondary design with the brown tones in the center, but the neat thing is you can adjust the layout with your fabrics and whatever bolder tones speak to you when you're laying it out. I had just enough brown pieces in my blocks that this almost argyle criss-cross design emerged and it was too cool so I kept it that way.

I would like to make another version of this quilt and I attempted to start cutting out strips using my stash to make it even scrappier, but once I got elbow deep in my scraps I realized I didn't have as many prints as I thought I'd have and I might switch my plan to batiks, but I've moved onto other projects in the meantime...

Once I bust into my batik scraps, who knows, I may just make this bigger depending on how many different fabrics I pull!

Even though this quilt looks complex and it has lots of pieces, it is so quick to make! I promise! I combined some of the best tips and tricks I had up my sleeve to create this design and I'm sure you'll love it if you decide to make one too.

If you were making this quilt, what fabrics would you choose? I'd love to know what you think. I may even alter my plan a bit if you inspire me with something I hadn't thought of yet!

Also, don't forget, today is the last day you can enter into the drawing for $100 in free quilting! SAY WHAT?! Yeppers, you can win quilting services by me, for all of the details and how to enter, click here to go to the giveaway post. 

I've loved reading all of your comments and ideas. You all are a creative bunch and that's why I like you so much ;)

Alright, I will post a winner tomorrow and I have some amazing quilts to show you later this week!

Clearing Up Precut Confusion

Has anyone else noticed the variety of names given to different precuts? You think that it must be something new and different, yet to find it's the same exact bundle as something else...

Well, I started researching and looking and sorting and I came up with a little chart to share with all of you to ease the confusion:

What I did here was take the three most popular precuts (5" squares, 10" squares and 2 1/2" strips) and listed what each manufacturer names each precut.

Now, there is a reason each manufacturer may have a different name. It basically all comes down to trademarks and licensing and such. Plus it gives each company an identity for their products in this mass sea of precuts available. Not many quilt shops only carry one manufacturer's products, so each fabric brand needs to stand out and make a statement how they can. Just on this chart alone, 2 1/2" strips have 11 different names between 13 different fabric brands!

I started noticing this confusion when I was teaching classes. Some people would come up to me and say, "I don't have a Charm Pack but I have this stack of 5" squares, will this work?" It's one of those situations where when it happened once, no biggie, but after a few times, I felt there had to be an easier way.

Plus, with the release of Seems Like Scrappy coming up in the near future, I didn't want anyone to have the same confusion and feel they couldn't make a quilt because they don't have a jelly roll that the pattern calls for when they have a Bali Pop sitting on their shelf... It's the same thing...

Now, here's the disclaimer part of this post and it's also clearly stated at the top of the printable:

Not every quantity is the same between precuts... Let me say that again:

Not every quantity is the same between precuts

Most precuts are made with either a manufacturer standard of pieces or they are dependent on how many fabrics were in the particular line of fabrics. Each bundle should be marked with the amount of pieces it contains. Double check before you begin that you will have the correct amount of pieces needed for your project.

To get the printable chart, click here.

I've had some questions in the past of how to save or print these files. When you open the pdf, there will be a series of icons at the top of the screen (they may not show until you move the cursor over them).

Please pardon the grainy look, I took an actual picture of my screen.

If you just want to print this chart now, the first icon on the left is to print (the one that looks like a printer).

If you'd like to save this pdf file to print again and again at your leisure, the icon with the downward arrow is to download the file and save it.

I hope you enjoy and can use this chart because I know how confusing it can be at times. Feel free to share this with your quilting pals and keep it handy.

Last disclaimer, this information was collected and compiled all by my little lonesome. This is an ever changing industry and the names and precuts available are subject to change at the will of the manufacturers. This information is current as of this date, but I'm sure it can and will change in time. If needed, I will reissue an update in the future, but be sure to print out this handy little chart and keep it near your precut stash!

Speaking of precuts... come on back to the blog on Monday (and every Monday for a couple months) to see previews of each new quilt in Seems Like Scrappy, my newest book due out in May! I've already posted a couple quilts, you can see them here and here. Just think, with this new chart in hand and inspiration brought to you each Monday, by the time the book is released you'll be all set and ready to create a new quilt or two! There are 14 quilts in this new book and I've already made duplicates of some... Just remember Monday... I'll bring you a little creative colorful moment to make Mondays not so mundane, alright? See you then!

New Pattern: Grammy Patches

So, who doesn't love a jelly roll, right? I had the amazing opportunity to pair up with Windham Fabrics to showcase a new line of fabric with my new pattern, Grammy Patches.

 As some of you may have heard, Marcia Derse had joined the team with Windham Fabrics with two new lines being introduced this fall, and I am so proud to bring you "Palette" featured in my new pattern, Grammy Patches. Windham is releasing precuts with many of their new lines (you know how much I love those!) and they asked me to design a new pattern, and TADA! Here it is!

 This pattern actually comes in two different sizes. The size shown here is 40" x 60" and uses just one jelly roll for the top! It's just a matter of combining contrasting strips to make these awesomely rectangular blocks to create movement and interest. When I finished the top, it reminded me of an old crocheted Granny Squares Afghan and so the only name that seemed to work was Grammy Patches.

The larger size would use two jelly rolls and would finish 60" x 80". Now, there is a trick to the larger size, the blocks will be turned 90 degrees giving a completely different look than it's smaller counterpart. I honestly haven't made the larger size yet, but it would be a great one to showcase a solid and a print line for even greater contrast!

 I quilted this with many waves and curled lines to emphasize the illusion of movement the quilt gives. It was hard to pick a thread color as there are so many colors within the quilt, but a medium gray worked so well.

So, what do you think? Oh, and for those of you going to Market, you will be able to see this quilt hanging in Windham's booth!!! Sadly I am not going and have vowed to stay home and sew until I can't see anymore each night, but give my quilt some love if you go!

And I forgot to mention, along with the new lines of Marcia's fabrics, Windham has this booklet you can view online with the new fabrics and the quilts made to feature her two new lines Palette and Mosaic. You can see the booklet by clicking here.  Palette will be hitting stores this December, so keep your eye out, the colors are so vibrant and vivid, you'll want to get your hands on them!

The new pattern, Grammy Patches, is at the printer as we speak and will be available soon, I'll let you know when it's available to ship!

Book Quilt: Roll of Stamps

Now I love traditional quilts and I have this unspoken quest to make as many of them as possible. (well maybe it's not such a secret now, but oh well) With every quilt I make I try to push myself to do something I never have before. It might be a new block, a new setting, fabrics I never thought I would use, something. So this was one of them:

Copyrighted Image provided by Martingale, Brent Kane, photographer

I have always wanted to do a postage stamp quilt. I love the mixture of squares and colors and a jelly roll was the perfect opportunity to create this quilt. I incorporated strip piecing into the construction of this quilt which makes it go so fast. And just to make it a little different than the usual postage stamp quilt, I added the accent sashing around each block.

There are all sorts of quilts in the book that range in skill level from beginner to slightly challenging. Now I'm not saying that you have to have years of quilting under your belt in order to make all of these quilts. These quilts are designed so that a beginner can make them and build their skills, but an experienced quilter will not be bored making these designs either. Sometimes even the most skilled quilter needs a simple(r) project to give their mind and body a break.

Now how many of you have a jelly roll sitting around that you don't know what to do with it? (Yes, I'm guilty of having one or three of those sitting around) This quilt is great to use up that jelly roll and a bit of yardage. Just remember, once you use of something from your stash, that just means you need to go shopping to fill it's place! Works for me!

I'll be back with more quilts from Seamingly Scrappy soon. I can't believe it's less than a week away!

Wiggly Whimsy - Moda Bake Shop Day!

My latest recipe for the Moda Bake Shop just posted a little bit ago. To see the recipe, click here.

 This all started with my trip to Spring Market this past May. I met Barb & Mary from Me and My Sister Designs and it was a pleasure. I fell in love instantly with their newest line Good Morning and came up with an idea to use as a new recipe.

 This design is so simple, yet complex looking that it's one of my favorites (at least at this moment, it changes often).

 The fun colors really stand out against the white and pop. On the flip side, just imagine that if you used a nice dark solid like Teak or Chocolate Brown with "manly" prints for the squares what it might look like...

So, which fabrics would you make this out of? I have just a few stray Charm Packs that I'm thinking have wound themselves into projects on my "to do" list.