*Posts may contain affiliate links.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Red White and Blue Blog Hop

Give me a big Whoo-Hoo, it's my turn today. I love patriotic themed quilts and goodies, so it took me only about 2 seconds to agree to design a quilt block for this auspicious occasion. Madame Samm and Jane are two of the most incredible people you will ever want to know. Thank you both for all you do for our blogging community.

Block design     hummm.............  That's a new one to me. I am not proficient with Electric Quilt. OK, I admit, that once I loaded it on my computer, that was the end. I haven't made the time to make friends with the thing. Math is not my strong suit, so that doesn't help me much, so I just jumped in and started chopping up fabrics. Is there really any other way to learn???  :-) 

I started with my favorite basket pattern and added those wonderful pin wheels to make my 12 1/2" square Patriotic Block. If I had a clue what I did, I would share, but really, it was just stitching and chopping off, stitching and chopping off. I know it would make a real block designer want to run with scissors (as far as they could, from me)!  LOL!!  But I managed make it work.  I am NOT a hand appliquer, as you all know fusible is my game, but with this challenge, why not throw in another little element that I am clueless on! After all, it's the American way isn't it?  :-) Or should I say this old, almost senile quilters way!  So I attacked the handle. Results are marginal at best, but heck, it wasn't all that painful, so it just might be something I would consider again. :-)

Since reproducing this thing is out of the question for sure, I chose to bind my block and hang it in my mini stand to celebrate the season.

BUT...
Did I really accomplish what I set out to do???

Not really, so here is a block that I dreamed up after attending a longarm retreat, and best yet, I can actually tell you what I did on this one!  :-)


I named this block the "Sparkling Showcase" block, because it is the perfect block to showcase any of your favorite things in. The 9" square offset in the block is your perfect place to put just about anything you want to show off.

It's perfect for redwork, photographs that have been transfered to fabric, a favorite quilt block, or even your kids art work. With all the fun fabric crayons, and kid friendly paints on the market, you can let them run wild, and have a great memory when it's done. In addition the layout options for the block are endless.

For this one, I went right to my favorite thing,  fusible applique. A quick trip to your search bar will reveal tons of free coloring book pages online, and that's just where this design came from.

You can access this specific design HERE.

But let your fingers do the walking and check out all the sights online yourself.
Here's a few to get you started.

http://www.hellokids.com/r_443/coloring-page/holiday-coloring-pages/4th-of-july-coloring-pages

http://www.colormegood.com/holidays/4thofjulypatriotic.html

http://www.tlsbooks.com/patrioticpuppy.pdf

Sooo...Here is how this block goes together, and pardon the poor diagram.


You will be seeing more on this block coming soon, so stay tuned!

In the mean time...


I'm sure am enjoying seeing what everyone else is up to. Whew, so much talent in blogland! I'm off to peek in on some more sites. Hope you all follow along the route as well. Just think, we are going to have so much inspiration, we will have to celebrate July 4th every day!

Here is todays lineup...
July 9th


                               Stitching by the Lake

                  Moose Stash Quilting   (that's me)

and you can find the entire schedule by clicking on our logo!
Enjoy!

50 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your wonderful blocks with us today.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your blocks are precious. I love the basket with pinwheels. And always remember that it only matters that you have fun doing what you love to do. Perfection is of God! I love all of the imperfections in the work I do, it makes it mine!. I think your blocks are great. Very creative. Thanks for joining the bloghop. I am following your creative blog now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your blocks are great and love the basket. Wishing I had the time for a long-arm class, wish I could aford a long arm. All will come in do time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Have spent quit a bit of time this morning looking thru your blog and have so enjoyed it. You are a women after my own heart!! SCRAPS! I have so many of them. That QAG quilt caught my eye and also have been looking for a doll pattern for a very small elf and am thinking maybe I can make one of the free ones work. Thank you and have marked your blog to watch and see what else you are up to. I also love your patriotic block. I joined the Christmas in July blog hop and been working on that. Take Care

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love your mini quilts, fantastic !!

    ReplyDelete
  6. WOW! Both of your quiltlets are wonderful!

    I really, really, really don't like basket blocks as a rule but your pinwheels in a basket caused me to ooh and aahh out loud - I'm almost tempted to try one myself!!

    And the applique on your "4th" piece is great - I love the way that you placed the fabrics.

    If I got to pick, you would be the winner of the blog hop!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Both of your mini quilts are spectacular - coloring pages work for me - thanks for sharing your ideas with us. Judy C

    ReplyDelete
  8. Both you mini quilts are fabulous but I do love baskets blocks. the pinwheel flowers are so cute.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ha!!! That's the way I often end up doing things. I LOVE the pinwheel basket - however it came about! Both blocks look nice.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fun post , I enjoyed the read ,great blocks and thanks for the link for your second block I might just use that one!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Joanie!! If I could only snip and cut and come up with that darling basket!! WOW!! Way to go girl! You designed your second block. I am in love. Thank you for all the links, I am going to add them to my favorites. Great job and thanks for playing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow, I can't imagine starting without a pattern. How wonderful is that! You did such a great job with both blocks and I would never have thought of coloring book pages. Thanks for the links - I'll be saving those. I wish I had EQ but the price keeps me away I'm afraid. blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete
  13. I absolutely love your approach to making your basket block! It turned out fabulously! Thanks for taking part in the blog hop; this has been so much fun.
    Lequilts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! your blocks are wonderful! Thanks for the links too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for posting! I love the basket.
    Deborah

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think both of them are terrific, thanks so much for sharing. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What fun designs! I love your confidence to just jump in and DO IT! They turned out great; thanks so much for participating and adding to the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  18. That's one way to keep busy, by just stitching and cutting. Love the way the basket block turned out! Really pretty. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Both blocks are great but I love the one you designed. I'm making a quilt with all kinds of different baskets so maybe I'll try and add pinwheels like you. Great job! Coloring books are a good resource. Thanks for sharing your blocks and the links.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Here's your Woo Hoo....grin. Really like your blocks. I need to get better at EQ7 myself.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You've done it again! Such creative blocks - love them both. I think I might even try one or both of them, lol. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Joan you gotta know i love both of your blocks and no matter what you set out doing, the results were most certain fabulous...
    Your sesnse of humor always has me leaving with a smile...thx for being a great YOU

    ReplyDelete
  23. They're both beautiful! The hat on the 4th is so cute.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I laughed and laughed while reading your post. Is it OK to say that my favorite is the basket block? The fabrics you used are perfect, and the pinwheels are cute. But, my favorite part is the striped handle on the basket. Good work!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I really like both blocks and to be honest ... baskets haven't ever been my favorite, but seeing yours with the pinwheels ... that's adorable! dang, now I'm gonna have to re-look at those basket blocks! :) :) thank you so much for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Well you definitely have the knack of coming up with something different every time. Well done! Love the blocks you have made and it sounds like fun was had in the process.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow, talk about flying by the seat of your pants! If I took a snip here and a snip there, all I would have is a bad haircut! Great job. Love the pinwheels in the basket.

    ReplyDelete
  28. So fun! I simply adore those pinwheels in the basket! Whoo hoo!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  29. I absolutely love your basket block. It is definitely one of my favorite of the hop so far.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I hate to admit this, but for some weird reason the basket block has never been my favorite. BUT.......YOURS has changed my mind. I love this one with the little windmills. Super cute. Love it. And your other block is wonderful. I really love that one. Thank you for instructions to make it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Pinwheels in the basket was brilliant! Great Job. The offset block with the 4th of July is one I will definitely try. Thanks for the pattern.

    Thanks for sharing. This Blog Hop has been fun!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I just love the handle on the basket. Great imagination. I see lots of potential for the offset block. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi! I too love the basket with its colourful handle hopefully won't take off with the whirli-gigs. So much fun as is the 4 July banner. Thanks for sharing the sites with other us to colour our world. the commentary was great too.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Beautiul blocks, that basket is exceptional! Thanks or sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  35. You did a fine job on your blocks.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Both blocks are great...really like the pinwheel basket one.

    ReplyDelete
  37. nice blocks - they make great table topper quilts :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. What a neat idea to use a coloring book page!!! I never would have thought of that and it is sew perfect!!! Thanks for the wonderful idea, I also really enjoy fusible applique.

    ReplyDelete
  39. WHOO-HOO-I Absolutely LOVE your RWB Blocks! I love your Pinwheel Basket w/Button Embellishing! Your Sprakling Showcase Block is Great Too! Thanks for the pattern! Thanks for this Great Giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  40. You amaze me! so darling. So glad you were in the blog hop!

    ReplyDelete
  41. So much talent! Such pretty blocks! Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thank you for the neat pattern!! It is just the right size for placemats or wallhanging...
    Electric Quilt I not interested but know a lot of people use it. Another interesting way of using a basket block. Love your blog.
    Linda in NM

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you for the neat pattern!! It is just the right size for placemats or wallhanging...
    Electric Quilt I not interested but know a lot of people use it. Another interesting way of using a basket block. Love your blog.
    Linda in NM

    ReplyDelete
  44. Fabulous blocks! Good luck with your new job!

    ReplyDelete
  45. They are both great - thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Clever basket with the 3 cute pinwheels and another great showcase block! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by today. Your comments really do make me day!
;-)