Happy Birthday, Pat Sloan!

by Mossie's Masterpiece cake/cupcake designs = photo from flickr

Today is Pat Sloan's birthday!

I decided to do a "Tribute" post and share the projects I have made with Pat's patterns and by hanging out with her and the Sloanies at her forum.
Enjoy!

My OP Challenge quilt. Started Feb. 2009 through Pat's Orange Pile challenge. It's the only twin quilt in our house that I've made! My daughter has claimed it.



Pat's Fall quilt pattern in Irish Quilting magazine. I did this one for a swap partner at Pat's Death by Quilting forum page.




I also started {late!} the Madhatter Tea blocks and setting challenge at Death by Quilting. I plan to work on these blocks this year and have a finished quilt.





uh-oh! Another UFO! This is my Camp Sloanie tent flap quilt. I just haven't got back to it. I have lots of different settings saved on my computer. I think this is the one I like best. I would like to finish this too.




My Wishing Well tablerunner - is still not done:(
Don't blame Pat! I take on a lot of projects and this one is really quick. I just stopped at the machine applique part;)
This was Pat's free project with this year's Falloween hop.




Pat's Lucky Charms sew along with Old Red Barn.
Again, stopped at the machine applique.
But I will finish this soon!! It's on the 'short list'


And so you don't think I just get inspired by Pat and never finish anything. . .

My Season of Grace Block of the Month. Designed by Pat Sloan and Emilie Richards.
Finished and ready for December first!

by Made with Pink - from flickr

You can wish Pat a Happy Birthday too. She has lots going on - all of the time!

Pat's blog: http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/

Pat's website: http://patsloan.typepad.com/quiltershome/
This is where you can find links to her free patterns and tips!

Be sure to check out her Radio show and Webstore {she has new rulers out with Sullivan's called 'cutting edge' - I'm waiting for the size I want to come in. Plus, she has some of her fabrics on clearance prices right now}

Pat's Quilt Mash Up Forum: http://www.quiltmashup.com/
We chat and encourage each other here daily.
Pat's latest encouragement has been with her 12 UFO tips.

Have a happy, Pat!

With Joy,
Sarah V

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A Second Look at Cake

Here is Block 2 of the Layer Cake Quilt Along done in my fat quarter collection.


I had initially planned - and started to cut - this large ornament print with a light background. As you can see, the fussy cut ornaments were smaller than 3 7/8" leaving a lot of background in the squares.
I decided that this block needs all the contrast I can give it, so switched my fabric choices.

I guess, to keep going with the dating analogies, it's like deciding not to try out your newest print blouse and instead sticking with your little black dress!


Here are my block 2s together.

Now back to gift making!

With Joy,
Sarah V

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Cake Talk - Favourite Recipe for HSTs

I'm finished my second block for the Layer Cake Quilt Along.

Once I got ready to start I realized that I really liked the green and yellow together!
That's like going on a date with a guy only to find out his brother is a better match for you:)


But, I persisted with the blue for a couple of reasons.

1. There are a lot of blue prints in this line and I want to keep the blue reading as a dominant colour throughout the quilt - which means I need to use it!

2. This is a very busy looking block with so many fabrics in it. I decided the repetition of the same motif in the blue and yellow would help to focus your eye on the dark prints. This print also reads more as a solid than the tone on tone green paisley.

I like the block better in this orientation. It was after seeing another completed block in the flickr pool placed this way that I got motivated to start on mine.

What did I learn from this block?
That I have a favourite recipe for making my half square triangles!
For this block I cut my squares at 3 7/8" ,
drew the diagonal line on the back of the light fabric,
stitched 1/4" seam down each side of the line,
cut on the line,
then pressed to the dark fabric.

This meant I basically had to make my own directions for this block - which did save me some fabric and some trimming {which I like to avoid}

Do you have a favourite way to make half square triangles?

With Joy,
Sarah V

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Monday's Bits and Pieces

Lots of bits and pieces of different projects - again!

Two of this month's string blocks completed. Two to go.

Parts of different Christmas gifts - won't go into too much detail here so I won't reveal what they will be:)




The star block is called "Swamp Angel" from Diana McClun and Laura Nownes, "Quilts! Quilts! Quilts!". It's the beginning of a pillow I am making for a niece's baptism. The block will finish at 12 inches - I will need to add 2" borders for it to fit my pillow form.

There are other projects that I'm working on this week, mostly baking for my daughter's figure skating Festive Bake Sale on Saturday. Did you see the links in my sidebar for the 2 Christmas Cookie hops?! Great timing:)

Check out the other design walls this week linked up at Judy's blog.


With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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An Inspiring Show

Log Cabin Broken Star
photo from the online Quilt Catalog 2010

Congratulations to the 3 winners of my quick giveaway - Kelly O., Nancy Sue and Janet

Janet asked where I would take you on a date for quilting inspiration. My answer would be
The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale!

Friday night preview would be a perfect date as you can get 'up close and personal' with the quilts and get to examine all the fine handwork. The strawberry pie and some other local favourite desserts would also be available.

The New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale was a big influence in my first years as a quilter. We lived in New Hamburg when our daughter was young. {Divine strawberry pie and Farmer's Sausage too!} Check out the website which has links to some beautiful quilts.

Here is the link to the online 2010 Quilt Catalog. You can click on the photos for a closer look.

NHMRS Quilt-As-You-Go Stash-Buster", was designed by Quilt Committee member Emily Hunsberger.

photo from NHMRS website

There are also 2 patterns for Feature Quilts for sale at this link.

The auctioning of the quilts takes place most of Saturday. It's fun to sit in the arena and watch the quilts get 'turned down' each so different from the one before.

I found a video to help you experience the show. Notice all of the food!




Thanks for the question, Janet!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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