180 More Doodle Quilting Designs

Hey all! I have some exciting news to share with you all. I had the wonderful opportunity to join a group of other quilters and collaborate on a new book all about free motion quilting!

180 More Doodle Quilting Designs is full of tons of ideas and styles, and the best part is each design is shown in several scenarios like a corner or a border. Check out my Ricochet Star design below.

If nothing else, this book is a great resource for when you feel stuck choosing a design. I know I'm going to keep a copy close to my machine and I suggest you do the same too.

No matter what type of quilt you're working on, there's something in here for every style. Not only that, but the book is designed in such a way it's great for even the newest of beginners. Come doodle along with us and learn something new! Even us seasoned quilters will learn something new too!

I hope you enjoy this book and you have a chance to enter to win a copy! Head on over to Martingale's blog to check out tips and tricks from some of the designers in the book and leave a comment for a chance to win! Just click here to find the post. 

The Big Book of Civil War Quilts (New Release)

Hello all! Today I have the pleasure of sharing with you a new book Martingale has just released called The Big Book of Civil War Quilts.

 It's really a big book! 58 patterns! You heard me right, 58! You could make a quilt a week and still be making them this time next year and beyond!

The quilts in this wonderful book come from a variety of your favorite designers, in sizes large and small... Basically if you love Civil War or traditional quilts, there's something in here for you!

I was blessed enough to have two of my very own quilts in this book.

 This is Beloved and it's one of my personal favorite quilts ever. I made it almost entirely out of my stash (everything but the borders, binding, and backing) and you can really have fun with color combinations. I paired up some crazy fabrics together and the results are better than I anticipated.

I actually made this quilt for my Hubby (hence the name) and it has such a comfy cozy feel to it.

This second quilt is a mini called Woven Stars that I hand quilted. I actually began as a hand quilter and miss it so, but the long arming has slowly (but surely) taken over my life! This little gem was just enough to play with my favorite rich fabrics and get a little bit of hand quilting in without committing to a large project.

Again, you can find both of these quilts and many many more in The Big Book of Civil War Quilts. I think the timing is just perfect because the weather is starting to change here, the air is a little crisper and cooler, it's time to dust off the crockpot, and pull out my quilts for Fall.

If you'd like to see more quilts featured in this book as well as have a chance to win your own copy of the book, head on over to Martingale's blog to enter! Just click here. 

So, I think I need a new quilt for my bed and I have a ginormous stash of reproduction fabrics just sitting there... Now to decide on a pattern... I think that's the hardest part!

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 :)

Last Day! (& Maura)

Today is the day I pick a winner for the new That Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar 2017. I will be choosing a winner later today (I'll give you all day to enter) and I will post the winner tomorrow. To enter into the giveaway and read more about the calendar, click here. Be sure to enter the giveaway on the original post, not here.

I'm writing this kinda quick in between dishes, making baby food, trying to get Maura to nap and finally finish laundry (laundry may have to wait). I haven't given a Maura update in a bit so here's a quick recap and some pictures from a couple weeks ago:

 Maura will be 5 months old next week...She's eating baby food like a champ and there isn't anything we've given her yet that she doesn't like (phew). I'm busy making green beans for her as I type this too.

 She's been teething FOREVER but nothing has broken through just yet. She's a spittle fountain most days (just like in the picture above). She's also on the move and has been chasing our dog Rosie around in a walker for the last couple weeks or so too. She's attempting to crawl and nothing has happened quite yet, but she can wiggle her cute little butt all over the floor. And her crib. And everywhere else.

She's got the cutest giggle and the prettiest smile and she's just growing up way too fast. She's doing all sorts of things months ahead of schedule and she seems to be a girl on a mission. I'm just hoping once she becomes completely mobile that I can still entertain her enough AND still have time to fit some quilting in between naps and such.

Alrighty, I think those green beans are good to go, that laundry is giving me the stink eye (it's all done and folded, just needs put away), and this sweet little miss in my lap is avoiding her naptime like the plague. Wish me luck. Good luck to you and check back tomorrow for the winner of the calendar giveaway and maybe some more Maura cuteness. Toodles!

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!

And the winner is...

So sorry for the delay in announcing a winner. Since we last spoke, things got a tad crazy here. This momma-to-be had a great doctor's appointment and it seems Little Miss is eager to make her appearance. She's not "due" for another 4 weeks, yet the doctors think with her progression we won't make it til then, let alone the end of this month. We'll know more later this week at the next appointment to see if she's progressed more or not. :)

And then I somehow picked up a nasty stomach bug that sidelined me the rest of the week and into the weekend. Luckily I had my flu shot and I think that helped curb the effects a bit, but it still wasn't fun and I was basically worthless.

Add on top of that we had another open house here this weekend to try to sell our home. Luckily Ben was a great trooper and was able to handle the majority of it and then some... I swear I can't make this stuff up - Here we are about half an hour from leaving the house and we get a call from the realtor who was supposed to be showing our house... She got in a car accident and can't make it. Our regular realtor was at another showing over an hour away and knew he would be late (hence the other partner opening the showing). So what were we to do? Well, it ended up that I packed up the dogs and wished my hubby luck and he tried his hat at being a realtor until our guy could show up and save the day... It was awkward at best, but I hope Ben did a good job and we get some good news soon. Otherwise I'm not sure how we're going to be able to show this house in the first few weeks Little Miss decides to join us, especially if it's sooner than anticipated!

So, that was basically what happened here since we last spoke and I'm now in that super excited/anxious/panicked/can't wait mode waiting for Little Miss to get here. I had a hunch she may arrive early, but I didn't think she would be this far ahead of schedule!

Speaking of which, I think I have finally hit my mark on being "done" with quilting until after Little Miss arrives. She has been wearing me out and just airing on the side of caution, I think it's best I take it easy and prep for her arrival. Please feel free to contact me about quilting services and I can still take in quilts and get you on the schedule for once I start quilting again, but please know I probably won't be quilting again until after Easter or so - so please plan accordingly if you have deadlines.

And the reason you all (hopefully) have been listening to me babble and ramble on - THE WINNER!!!

The winner of the book is mamajan who wrote:

mamajanFebruary 11, 2016 at 12:06 AM

Lately I have been buying fabrics in coral and navy cause I would love to make a quilt with these colors. This book looks like I could find a beautiful pattern to use. Congrats on being part of it.

Now, I normally don't do this, but I'm making an exception. Mamajan, I don't have an e-mail for you so I can't send you a message. I'm giving you until Wednesday morning (Ohio time)to contact me at rubybluequilts (at) gmail (dot) com with your snail mail address so I can send you this book. Otherwise I will choose another winner and move on down the list. 

I normally don't choose a winner I can't immediately respond to, but there seems to have been some security changes on the blog platforms lately and more than half of the comments were no-reply (which means I can't e-mail you back).

I honestly don't know at the moment how to change the settings, but I will look into it and let you all know so that you can change your settings and have better chances of myself and other bloggers contacting you in the future (if you win something for instance). Thank you to all who entered and I urge you to go find this book and take it home with you because you're going to find several projects you'd like to make!

Now I'm going to do some more baby laundry and finish up these last couple quilts I have and wait for Little Miss to arrive. I'll update you all soon and mamajan - I hope to hear from you soon!

Block-Buster Quilts: I Love Log Cabins

It's time to share a brand new book with you that I'm super excited about! Today I'm going to share with you a new book by Martingale featuring 16 designers (myself included) called Block-Buster Quilts: I Love Log Cabins.

If you're new to the blog, welcome! If you're familiar with my ways, welcome back and please don't mind the life pauses here and there. I'm currently expecting our first child to arrive soon and we're trying to sell our house and move and yeah... Not much quilting happening at the moment. But today I have plenty to share so let's begin!

I have had a log cabin quilt on my quilting bucket list for a long long time. I finally made my first log cabin quilt a couple years ago - you can find Frolic in my second book, Seems Like Scrappy (it's on the cover) and from that moment I was hooked! 

I mean what's not to love? Choosing fabrics and getting prepped is so much fun and the construction goes together so smooth and swift - you have a quilt top before you know it. Not only that, but the color and layout options are endless allowing you to create and imagine and create some more until your heart is content!

As I mentioned, there are 16 quilts in this book - one from each designer. Oh, and before I forget - head on over to Martingale's blog and leave a comment to win! They're giving away 16 copies of this very book next week - one for each designer! Click here to head on over, just leave a comment and you're entered!

Daybreak by Rebecca Silbaugh (that's me!)

The neat thing with compilation books, like this one, is until the book is released or the marketing materials start to arrive, as a designer we usually only know about the quilt we made and/or the quilts our close friends have made too if we chat about that sort of thing. You never know what to expect. 

The quilt above is Daybreak by me! I am in love with wonky blocks and came up with this fun layout to try. This type of layout does give a directional look to the quilt overall, but it has so much dimension that I really want to try it in other color options soon. Maybe. Depending on when Little Miss arrives and how much energy I'll have left. 

If anyone knows me - I usually am not a fan of yellow. However there are exceptions to every rule and one being my sewing room is painted yellow. Knowing this book would be released in the typically most mundane time of year for me (I live in the snow belt in NE Ohio, usually by now the landscape has been several shades of grey for months) I wanted to choose lively colors that would remind me of Spring. And sun. And warmer temperatures. And yeah. That's why I chose these colors. 

I would love to see what colors or fabric lines you would choose to make this quilt out of. You know what - leave me a comment below with what color or fabric scheme you'd make Daybreak out of and I'll choose a winner later this week to receive a copy of I Love Log Cabins! 

Scrappy Courthouse Steps by Lissa Alexander

Well, to be honest I got my books in the mail last week and haven't had a chance to open them until today (we're trying to sell our house so my office and sewing room can't be the usual clutter storm I'm so used to living in - hey, I'm creative and it works). So I opened my books and started to scroll through the pages and had to keep the drool at bay. There are so many beautiful quilts in this book bursting with personality that I want to tear into my stash and make almost all of them. But I can't because I have to keep it clean and tidy... But the second we sell this place and move it's game on! Quilting season will be open as long as Little Miss and I have come to an understanding. I'm hoping the sound of the sewing machines will lull her to sleep. 

Anywho, the first quilt I stumbled across that I want to make is this amazing Scrappy Courthouse Steps by Lissa Alexander. It's simple and fun and fresh but timeless. I see this as a quilt for Little Miss and I to cuddle under in the future and watch movies. 

Mi Casa by Carrie Nelson

And then I flipped a few more pages and saw this dream of a quilt that I NEED TO MAKE!!! Carrie is known for her eye for color and texture and this quilt is the perfect opportunity to play with both of those things. It's another simple yet fresh concept that allows for maximum scrappiness. And you all know how I love scrappy!

 Seeing Stars by Kimberly Jolly

And what's not to love about a log cabin block with a star in it set in stars? Kimberly did an awesome job with this quilt and I love it. Okay I love them all, but for different reasons. This particular design could work so well for just about anyone by changing the colors and the textures. It could be masculine or patriotic or feminine or whimsical. I'm not sure which fabrics I would choose to make this one in, but the possibilities are endless!

 Log Cabin Chevron by Penny Barnes

And finally this quilt just blew me away when I looked at it. I'm a traditionalist at heart and this is honestly a very traditional block. It's just a modern color palette and layout to take this quilt to the next level. When I see this quilt, immediately I want someone to make it and send it to me to quilt it.  This type of design gets the long-armer in me buzzing and my brain is working overdrive to figure out how I would quilt it. I mean really - how much fun is this - AND it's a log cabin that doesn't look like a log cabin. BONUS!

So what do you think about this new book? Are you in love with log cabins like the designers in this book? Are you a hooked quilter on the road to log cabin recovery or a newbie to the log cabin fever? I'd love to hear what you think!

Don't forget to leave me a comment below to enter for a chance to win a copy of this book - I will probably choose a winner this weekend - and don't forget to head over to enter for another chance to win at Martingale's blog too!

If you're too impatient and you want to get your hands on this book NOW, you're in luck. You can look at your LQS, they should have copies in stock now, or you can purchase a copy from Martingale. The great thing about buying a copy directly from Martingale is you know the actual book will be arriving and be in your hands soon, but you also get an ebook download immediately after your purchase so you can scroll and start to plan your next project right away. Without the wait. How awesome is that?!

Well, that's a bunch of log cabin love to share with you today. Good luck and I can't wait to hear what you think about this latest book.

I'm only Human...

I just wanted to let you know, I made a mistake. It's not a big one, but when you get your copy of Seems Like Scrappy, there should be a little piece of paper tucked in there with a correction for Patch Stack.

What can I say, it happens. When I realized the mistake I was in the process of making this version of Patch Stack:

I don't think I shared this quilt yet... I finished it right before Market, showed it in my Schoolhouse and I think it's still packed away. I need to dig it out and get it quilted one of these days. 

I immediately contacted my editors and the motions were put into effect to fix the issue, but the book was already printing at that time. I was devastated. I felt sick, I was mortified. But then I realized I'm only human and these things can happen. Even with all of the eyes and edits, there's so much information and so many details to go over, and I'm sorry.

The good news is it was found and as I mentioned, there should be a little piece of paper in your book. If you happen to lose that paper or your book doesn't have one, you can see the corrections by clicking here.

However, all eBooks have already been edited to adjust for the correction and all future copies will be fixed, so if you downloaded your copy, you should be all good to go. Nevermind my babbling above.

I'm off to quilt and make some progress with Memphis today. I hope you get some time to sew, have a great day!

Good news bad news

Well, the good news is I'm guest blogging over at Martingale today. I'm sharing more about Seems Like Scrappy and you have a chance to enter to win an eBook!!! To see that post, go here:

http://blog.shopmartingale.com/quilting-sewing/how-to-make-a-scrap-quilt-with-no-scraps/

(Sorry, I'm doing this the mobile way and it's not super link friendly)

And now onto the bad news...

I got this notification today:

I'm very sorry to report that if you've ordered a copy of Seems Like Scrappy, it'll be a little longer until they arrive. This box made it across the country and got damaged within an hour of my house. 

So, that does still leave more time for preorders at the sale price at my online shop (rubybluequiltingstudio.bigcartel.com). Act fast though!

This also brings the scenario up - if you've placed a preorder and don't wish to wait for a signed copy, please email me at rubybluequilts at gmail dot com and I will issue you a refund. I'm so sorry for the delay, but I have more copies on their way. 

Have a great day, I think I'm going to drown my sorrows later in a long walk and a milkshake because I can. Don't forget to head over to Martingale's blog and enter for a chance to win!

Book-to-Precut Cheat Sheet

Alrighty. I have worked up this handy little cheat sheet contained all on one page for you. I used the chart I created for Seems Like Scrappy and left that on the right, while adding the same type of information about Seamingly Scrappy on the left.

If you missed the other post about this chart, basically I listed all of the projects from the book and which precut belongs to which quilt. It also has some other helpful information particularly for shop owners and teachers, but it's good information for everyone, so I wanted to share it here with you where you could print off your own copy.

Oh, and one other little detail I forgot to mention the other day, if you print this out and look at the column labeled "Great for Samples" - this line is pretty much specific for shop owners. I realize your time is precious and you all wish you had more time to sew... So if you want to make a sample but only have time to make one, make one with a star next to it!

Here is the link to the chart! I hope this helps you to streamline the information needed so you can concentrate more on creating a gorgeous quilt or two!

Don't forget, if you need anything, my contact information is at the top! Let me know if there's anything else I can help you out with and don't forget to send me pictures of your finished quilts!

Tomorrow is the day!!!

And I do mean it is THE day. June is going to be such an exciting month and it's really starting off with a bang!

Not only is tomorrow the official release date of Seems Like Scrappy...

There is so much more to tell, but it will have to wait until tomorrow... Don't worry, the wait will be worth it, I promise!!!

What I do have for you today is something kinda special. I came up with a printable chart to use with Seems Like Scrappy. I handed this chart out to shop owners at Quilt Market, but I wanted to be able to share it here with you too.

Basically, this chart shows each project in the book and which precuts go with each project. Not only that, but it also lists which quilts are great for kits (if you are a shop owner or work at a shop) and which projects are great for beginners.

This was designed to be used by shop owners and it has other information that may be more useful in that context. However, I realize not all shop owners were able to make it to Quilt Market. Also, I realize that several of my readers teach at shops and guilds or just with friends for a night of sewing. And that's when I thought it would be best to share this information with you all, because why not? Anyway that I can help you all, I'm all for it.

When you print out the file, there will be two of these charts, side by side to fit on a regular piece of paper. Print them out and share the spare with a friend, or hang one and keep the other tucked away for safe keeping. Either way, all of my contact information is listed at the top. I ask that you please be respectful of that knowledge, but if you have any questions, you know how to get a hold of me.

Now, finally, to get to the printable link, click here. You can either print out the form (click on the printer icon when you scroll your mouse to the top center of the page - the icons will appear when the mouse is over them if they're not immediately displayed) or you can save this file for later (click the arrow pointing to a flat line).

I hope you all can use this chart as a tool both personally and professionally. I think it's only natural I create a similar one for my first book, Seamingly Scrappy. Stay tuned over the next couple days and I will try to create a chart for that. If it helps, I can even make the printable file with one side for Seamingly Scrappy and the other for Seems Like Scrappy. Two birds I guess...

Well, anyway, I hope this can work as a little cheat sheet for you while working through Seems Like Scrappy. Come back tomorrow for some equally exciting news and each day this week. This month is going to be awesome!!!

Seems Like Scrappy: Baby Cakes Again

I had so much fun making this quilt, both times. This is another one of those quilts that I love the original version, but I really love the second version.

 What more can I really say about this quilt? It's just too stinkin' adorable! I used a layer cake of April Showers by Bonnie & Camille for this one and I love how the fabrics play off of eachother.

 It's simple and clean and the fabrics work so well with this design. Plus, I couldn't wait to use the navy and white stripe from this line for the binding. It's just too perfect.

I seriously think I need to go on a picnic just so I can use this quilt for it. And I need to get my dose of Vitamin D and enjoy this weather while we have it!

You can see the original version of this quilt by visiting this post. I love being able to see two quilts made from the same pattern look completely different from eachother.

And just like that, I think I have shown you all of the quilts I've completed from Seems Like Scrappy just in time for it's release. The official release date is Tuesday, June 2nd and I can't wait for you all to see this wonderful book I've worked so hard on!

Basically the release date is when books start to ship from Martingale, so depending on where you are, you can expect to see copies in your LQS probably later in the week. I also have my preorder sale still going on in my shop. You can preorder your signed copy and enjoy 25% off the price! The sale is good until my copies arrive at my doorstep, so you probably have most of the week if you still would like to place your order. As soon as the books arrive, the sale is off (you can still purchase a signed copy for full price) so act quickly!

I can't believe it's almost here! This is going to be a super exciting month and it's starting off on a high note (or a few) so stay tuned for all that I have in store, you won't want to miss it!

Seems Like Scrappy: Baskets Redone

I hope I'm not the only quilter that plays favorites. I try not to, but it happens all too often. Usually my favorite quilt is the one I'm working on or one I just completed, but I really really like this one. I like it enough I may actually hang it in my quilting studio (I like it that much - I don't have anything besides minis hanging at my house).

 This quilt may change all that. Meet Baskets part two, or the alternate, or the other one... This version isn't too much different than the original (see the original post here), but I love the colors. The blues are more of a shale color scheme with hints of grey and green and the background fabrics are a bit richer.

 It actually looked perfect hanging on my fence (or my neighbor's fence) in all of it's rotting and mildewy state.

 I quilted this one much differently than the original. I focused on breaking the quilt into on-point blocks using the chain as my guide. Then I quilted a feathered wreath in each block.

 I filled the rest of the space with alternating matchstick lines and a fun star where the baskets  meet. The four full wreaths were quilted with a 1/2" crosshatch while the half wreaths at the edge of the quilt have a 1/4" crosshatch in their centers.

 I just can't get enough of this quilt. Plus while I was taking these pictures, the sun was starting to set through the trees and it was casting the most amazing glow on the quilting...

 It's just magical.

I planned on making this quilt with low volume prints for the background and a wild range of bright fabrics for the baskets. Something along the lines of Anna Maria Horner or Amy Butler style prints. But then I was digging through my stash and came across these fabrics I had been collecting for another project. I collected waaayyy more fabrics than I would need, so I used some for this quilt and I'm so glad I did!

Do you have a preference? Which version do you like better, the original red or this slatey blue?

I also just got to thinking this would look magical with a dark background and really warm rich golds and rusts and it would be a wonderful fall quilt. What colors will you choose to make yours? I can't wait to see!

Seems Like Scrappy Preview: Baby Cakes

Well folks. We've done it. This is the last quilt to preview from Seems Like Scrappy just in time for it's release next week! Today I'd like to share Baby Cakes with you.

Photo provided by Martingale. Photography by Brent Kane. All rights reserved. 

So many of the quilts from Seems Like Scrappy are fun fast and easy. This one is probably the fastest and easiest quilt in the whole lot!

I was inspired by all of the love my Coinage pattern from Seamingly Scrappy received, so I wanted to do a remake of sorts. This time around I still used the same basic construction, but I started with a layer cake and that's all you need to create this quilt top.

The piecing is organized yet impromptu so it's very forgiving and mindless which works great for a fast quilt project. Baby Cakes finishes at a large crib or small throw size, but as I've said before with other quilts, you can easily make this a bit larger with some borders.

I know I still owe you all a post with the alternate Baskets quilt, and I hope to take pictures of that one today (if I can find it in my Market luggage, I still haven't unpacked my quilts). I also have an alternate version of Baby Cakes I will be sharing too in the near future. I like to show you all options, plus I like to make quilts again in a new style to see how different two ideas from the same pattern can be. My yard finally isn't a jungle, but after we cut it , it looked all clumpy and nasty... Then I noticed all of the overgrown brush along the fence where I take pictures, so another trim of the yard and a bunch of trimmed branches and wild grape vines and it looks much better. I on the other hand am still a bit sore, but I will try to get photos today before all of this rain hits this week.

I hope you all had a great weekend (hence the reason for the delayed post, I attempted to take yesterday off for the holiday and failed miserably) and I hope you enjoyed seeing all 14 quilts from Seems Like Scrappy! I had to double check this morning to see if I missed any because there are so many quilts.

As I mentioned, I still have alternate versions to share and I'm still working on a few more, so once I get those done I will share them here too. To see a recap of all of the quilts, you can search the blog for Seems Like Scrappy (best way if looking on the mobile site), you can click on the Seems Like Scrappy link to the right (if looking at the desktop version of the site) or you can click through this link here and it should list the posts for you.

Thanks again and don't forget to check your LQS in the next couple weeks or your mailbox if you've preordered the book! Books will begin to ship next week, but you can still preorder a signed copy in my shop for 25% off from now until the moment that the books arrive on my doorstep. I will get them shipped out right after!

Seems Like Scrappy Preview: Baskets

I'm home from Market and I have to tell you - have you heard about the #quiltmarkethangover? It's real. We got home late Sunday night and by the time we got in the door and collected our puppies and they settled down, it was super late (for me at least).

Then yesterday unpacking bags and doing laundry and getting into the swing of "normal life" again was just crazy. It doesn't help that Spring Market always falls in the middle of allergy season, but I did what I could yesterday and today I'm attempting to hit the ground running. After sleeping in a bit of course ;)

Today I want to introduce you to Baskets. I know it's not a super original name, but after coming up with the quilts and making them and quilting and binding and writing the patterns and doing the illustrations - my creativity was spent... But I think I spent my creativity on the right areas.

I actually have a second version of this quilt that I will be sharing later this week when I can get photos. Right now the yard is awful with high grass and we really need to get at that first. Poor Paco looks like he's out on a jungle safari each time he goes out. We cut it right before we let for Market, but it's been the perfect combination of warm and wet here and it grew like mad. So, look for the alternate version of this quilt later this week.

Baskets is made with a combination of fat eighths and fat quarters. It doesn't take much fabric at all and it's pretty fast to cut out and piece. You may already have the fabrics needed for this sitting and waiting for you to get started. Otherwise, this would be a great class and really fun to kit (for you quilt shops out there).

Even though this pattern looks quite traditional in this colorway, I originally thought about making an alternative in a super modern scheme with a mixture of low volume prints for the background and crazy bold fabrics for the baskets. Think about it with a Jen Kingwell inspiration if you would... My alternate version turned out fairly traditional as well. I stumbled upon the perfect fabrics I had stashed for another quilt that I forgot about and I wanted to try this pattern again, so I did.

This quilt was well received (as well as the alternate) at my Schoolhouse at Market and I can't wait to see your version of it too.

Baskets is a decent lap size quilt, or it could be a large wall hanging depending on your space, but it can always grow to the size you're looking for with borders too. Just keep that in mind. I think these quilts might be the perfect back-of-the-couch size for that little added quilty decoration without putting holes in your walls or climbing on ladders.

Once again, this quilt and several others are found in my new book, Seems Like Scrappy, that will be released in just a couple weeks - June 2nd! Look for this book shortly afterwards at your LQS or you can preorder your own signed copy from my online shop. Enjoy your preorder from my shop at a 25% discount, good until the books show up on my doorstep!

Look for more quilt previews from the book here each Monday and I will be doing a special post for the alternate Baskets quilt later this week. Also, check back here often over the next month or so, it's a super exciting time here at the studio and I have so much to tell you!!! Have a great day!

Market Schedule

Well, I'm checking my lists and packing my bags and hoping I have everything I need. Hope to see you all at Market so I wanted to post my schedule so you know where to find me :)

I have a Schoolhouse on Thursday showing off my quilts from my new book, Seems Like Scrappy in room #211D at 3:45 - 4:15. 

I also have a few booksignings going on. You can find me:

Friday at Martingale's booth #325 at 11:30

Saturday you can find me at:

Brewer #1919 at 11:00 and

E.E. Schenck #1023 at 3:00

Some booksignings may have reservations or advanced tickets to get a book, please check with each vendor to see if you need to make a reservation. 

See you soon!

Seems Like Scrappy Preview: Crumpet

I'm not typically a girly girl. I do like flowers and doing my hair and gardening (and quilting of course), but I'm usually drawn to the more rustic or bold styles. Except this time.

Somewhere deep down inside of me is a girly girl and she likes to make an appearance at random times. One time being when I chose the paint color for my sewing room, and another notable time when I made this quilt:

Photo provided by Martingale. Photography by Brent Kane. All rights reserved. 

Meet Crumpet, one of the smaller projects from Seems Like Scrappy. I was inspired by the array of half square triangle quilts in modern layouts sprinkled throughout social media. I love the offset center and wanted to mix it up a bit more, just because. That's when I got the idea of using 60 degree triangles. With the array of rulers available on the market now and really awesome patterns to go with them, triangles aren't as scary to quilters like they once were.

But how was I going to get a scrappy look by using precuts? I could have cut strips from Fat Eighths or Fat Quarters, but then I had a "lightbulb" moment. Use honeycombs...

Honeycombs you say, but they're hexagons. Precisely! A hexagon is nothing more than six 60 degree triangles! Now, it does make the triangles much smaller once you cut everything down, but trust me - it just adds to the charm of this small quilt.

Crumpet was fun and interesting to make and I love how it turned out. It was really fun to quilt too and I used Quilter's Dream Puff batting to really pop the quilting and give it definition.

Seems Like Scrappy will be available very very soon. June 2nd is the official release date and I can't wait for you all to see it. Don't forget you can preorder a signed copy in my shop for 25% off the list price. This sale runs until I get the books on my doorstep, so act fast!

Otherwise, be sure to ask your LQS to order it and tell them to come visit me at Spring Market! I will be sharing all of the quilts I've made from the book plus the duplicates I've made.

Tomorrow I will be posting my schedule at Market and where you can come find me and my book! I can't wait to share it with everyone, it's so exciting!!!

Seems Like Scrappy Preview: Bitsy

Before I begin, let me start by saying May the 4th be with you!

Alrighty, now I can get to the reason you're all here today. I want to introduce you to Bitsy!

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

This could be considered a mini quilt or a table topper or a wall hanging... Bitsy is well, small, but full of personality! Above is the original that you'll see in my new book, Seems Like Scrappy. Bitsy uses a charm pack and some yardage and I think I know what you're thinking...

There's no way I'm sewing all of those tiny squares!

Well, I'm here to tell you - you don't have to! I've come up with a genius (if I do say so myself) way to sew with maximum results and as little effort as possible.

Bitsy is so fun and simple to sew, I made another one:

 For this second option, I chose to make a small Halloween quilt and it's super fun and spunky.

I can promise you the sewing steps are minimal. Honestly, I spent probably the same amount of time, if not a little more, pressing the pieces.

 I love how the striped fabric for the binding blends all of the colors together on this one.

Here you can see the quilting a bit better. Since the colors in the fabrics are so vibrant and bold, I opted to do the same with the quilting so I chose an orange thread. It honestly doesn't stand out nearly as much as I would have thought it would, but it completes the quilt nicely.

The best part about Bitsy - I'm sure each and every single one of you has the materials stashed away somewhere to make this right now. We all have charm packs stashed away or sitting on shelves waiting for the perfect opportunity to break into them and use them up. Plus, the yardage for this quilt is minimal, so not much is needed to get started.

This quilt would make a great retreat project or a weekend sewing adventure since you can get results quickly. And with the visual impact it gives when it's done, what's not to love?

Bitsy and several other quilts are brand new patterns featured in my latest book, Seems Like Scrappy due out June 2nd for release. That's less than a month away!!!

If you are traveling to Quilt Market all of my quilts and I will be making appearances and I will post the details as we get closer to the tradeshow. Otherwise, if you'd like to preorder a signed copy of Seems Like Scrappy, you can do so in my shop and enjoy 25% off your preorder.

Don't forget that I have luggage, will travel! If you'd like my quilts and I to come and do a trunk show for you or visit your group for a lecture and/or workshop, please send me an email at rubybluequilts (at) gmail (dot) com. I'd love to come and visit!

I'm almost done with my second Patch Stack and if I get the top done tomorrow, I will try to post pictures later this week. It's turning out awesome! I have all of the blocks done, now I just need to lay it out and sew!

Come on back here each Monday for another quilt preview from Seems Like Scrappy and I will have all sorts of other quilty posts during the week! Have a great day!

Quilting Splotch Part Two

Even though my job is to quilt and finish other's projects, sometimes I am the worst at finishing my own. I can look at other's quilt tops and know exactly how it should be quilted...

Then I look at mine for months and I can't think of where to start. I guess it comes back to that saying - you are your own worst critic... It just depends on the quilt and the project, but I will guarantee my own quilts are much harder to plan than my clients most of the time. I just put too much pressure on myself sometimes.

 Some days I just need a reset or a refresh moment. Well, remember this quilt I shared yesterday? I loved how the chevron quilting turned out... And we chose this pattern to emphasize the elongated blocks...

 Then I was staring at my own Splotch Part Two... And it's kinda modern and it would be neat to emphasize the stripes in the background... And that's when the idea of quilting it with a chevron design hit my upside the head!

Now that would be all good and plenty, but us long armers have a tendency to over quilt our own stuff. That's why it takes forever to come up with a plan and execute it. It's so easy to go overboard with the quilting. The simple plan is the least taken sometimes...

 So then I started thinking about another option to show off the hexagons too. I just finished those dahlias recently on Bobette's quilt and I though they would look nice in the blocks. So then the plan shifted to dahlias in the hexagons and chevrons in the background...

But then I started thinking that plan was too much of a good thing. Maybe less is more or random is best? So I thought about taking a Sudoku approach to the dahlias and I will quilt them in like above picture. The Sudoku part comes in where there's only one dahlia per row and column...

Then what I'll do is fill in the rest of the quilt with chevrons up to the hexagons filled with dahlias. That way they will hopefully stand out a bit more and give that unexpected pop of excitement I'm hoping for.

All in all it should work out well and hit all the right notes I'm trying to achieve. This quilt is quickly becoming my favorite (at the moment until the next favorite comes along) and I hope to have it done and ready to show at Spring Market.

I always like providing options with my designs. I realize that the quilting community is a visual place. Sometimes it's hard for quilters to come up with their own ideas when they fall in love with a quilt. Usually they want to make that quilt with those fabrics just like the picture... However, I find when I show the same quilt a couple of different ways, quilters are more open to choosing their own fabrics and ideas and come up with some of the coolest things!

At least that is what I have noticed and it helps me to play with more fabric and work "outside the box" more.

So hopefully this is either being quilted or will be shortly and I will share the finished product when I can!

Do you like this plan? Is there something else you'd do that I haven't thought of? Voice your opinions in the comments below and we can brainstorm together! Who knows, this quilt is so fun I just may make another that would need to be quilted a different way. I made a whole new version of Aura from Seamingly Scrappy just so I could quilt it differently than my first two...

Just a reminder that Splotch is a new pattern of mine found in my new book, Seems Like Scrappy due out this June. You can preorder your copy in my shop and I will sign it for you!

Well, I'm off to sew! Have a great day!

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!