Moda, Craftsy, and a Giveaway

Happy Wednesday! I thought I'd start off today's post by sharing the three Moda bundles I couldn't live without from Sample Spree. Clockwise from left are Simply Style by V & Co., Potluck by Sandy Klop, and Sunnyside by Kate Spain! My Moda booth post is almost finished, and I'll share it tomorrow.

One of the booths I visited while at market was the Craftsy booth. I've enjoyed writing for Craftsy for the past few months and have also been taking some Craftsy classes. The lectures from QuiltCon are also free on the Craftsy site. To watch the QuiltCon lectures for free you'll just need to register for an account (You can do that here).

I'm also currently taking Camille Roskelley's Pre-Cut Piecing Made Simple and have also signed up for Sara Fielke's Scrap Quilting: Big Techniques from Small Scraps.

What I like about the Craftsy classes is that they are available to you whenever and forever. You can watch just a segment or sit down and watch the whole class. Then if you want to review something or watch it again, you can. It's so easy, and it's like having a personal instructor "on call!"

The classes also come with pattern downloads. I'm really looking forward to playing with these two classes this summer.

And now for my first post-market giveaway! One of my favorite designers in the quilting world is Heather Mulder Peterson. I always love her fresh ideas and inspirations for fabrics. At this market she debuted her newest book, Angles with Ease and a ruler to go along with it! When I purchased my copy and ruler at Sample Spree she gave me an extra set to give away to one of my readers! I didn't get any pictures of Heather's booth...but you can see the quilts in this book on Heather's blog here and here.

To enter the giveaway, simply let me know what your quilting goals are for this summer! I'll keep the giveaway open through Friday evening!

Thanks so much for stopping by...and I'll be back tomorrow with the Moda booths!

Some of the Booths

It's always fun to see the booths--especially when you are able to see the transformation take place from a messy convention center with forklifts and boxes and packing materials strewn all over the floors to a beautiful showroom with inspiring booths. First up is Allison's booth (Cluck, Cluck, Sew). She always has a darling display and is soooo nice!

Next is Tasha Noel's Simple Life collection in the Riley Blake booth. Her fabrics are adorable, and I was able to see a sneek peek of her next collection, Country Girl which is just as adorable (and it has navy in it, too)! Tasha is absolutely one of the nicest people you'll ever meet...I enjoyed visiting with her at market!

This is Emily's (Crazy Old Ladies--although she isn't crazy or old...just super nice) Technicolor Display. Her booth was amazing, and she won a booth award for her incredible display. I have some of this fabric ready to sew...can't wait!

Nordika is Jenny Baker's upcoming collection. Of course I loved her hexagon display of all the prints!

This gorgeous patchwork dress was even more stunning in person...it was in the Art Gallery booth section.

Of course I had to stop by the C&T Publishing booth...it was fun to see my books on the shelf!

This is Denyse Schmidt's corner of the Free Spirit section. I can't remember the name of her new collection, but it is fantastic. Actually, this quilt doesn't even show the range of beautiful fabrics. I thought it was reminiscent of Hope Valley; there was a fat quarter bundle of the collection on the ground which I should have taken a picture of...it was beautiful.

And here is the Lakehouse section with Pam Kitty Morning's adorable fabric. Don't you love her Bee in My Bonnet row quilt?! Pam is always so much fun to visit with!

Of course I had to make a stop at Tula Pink's booth (after all, I'm almost finished with my Tula Pink quilt). Her fabrics are absolutely stunning. I may just be tempted to wait for them to purchase the backing for my quilt.

Her butterfly quilt was absolutely stunning!

I always have to make a stop by Aurifil...and take a picture of the threads. Every market I do this--there is just something about their beautiful displays. I always think how nice it would be to have an entire cabinet of this thread in my sewing room!

I still have at least two more market posts...the next one will highlight some of my Sample Spree finds and include a giveaway of some goodies. Another one will highlight the Moda designers and their fabrics.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

PS  My friend Stefanie is having a "Back from Quilt Market" sale, and everything in her shop is marked down.

Portland Quilt Market Day 1 and More

I'm home from a whirlwind trip to Portland, Oregon for the Spring 2013 International Quilt Market! Portland is a beautiful city, and I truly appreciated the cool temperatures, cloudy skies, and light rains. I have quite a lot of photos, so I'll break it up into a few posts. Today's post will focus on Day One and some of the quilts I pieced for market.

I was lucky to be able to have a mini "tour" of a couple of places before heading to the Oregon Convention Center on Wednesday. I had a really early flight and was running on less than 3 hours sleep, so I didn't take near enough photos on day one; however, I did get one snapshot of the outside of Hollyhill Quilt Shoppe. Unfortunately, the shop doesn't allow photos inside, but can I just say it was THE most amazing shop--especially if you love all things Moda as I do! The displays were absolutely incredible, and there were so many fabrics; I was in heaven before even arriving at market!

I also got a chance to drive by the Portland Temple which is absolutely stunning in its setting in the trees. There was a soft drizzle, but everything was green and beautiful! After a yummy lunch at Red Lobster it was off to the Convention Center. I was grateful to have a good lunch since it was about the only food I had that day! And I have to say thank you to Jodi for the wonderful tour! Once at the Convention Center I set to work helping Camille with her booth. Of course I'd never set up a booth before, so she had to give me lots of guidance, but it was truly rewarding to see everything come together.

This is the view of the Moda section I saw the most. The leaves were absolutely beautiful--all 19,123 of them! I took so many photos of the beautiful Moda designer booths that I'll dedicate a separate post to them tomorrow.

I spent most of my time with these two amazing girls...from left to right Jodi, Camille, and yours truly.

Here is Bonnie's side of the Bonnie & Camille booth...such beautiful quilts!

And here is Camille's side of the booth. (I have to say it was wonderful to have homemade cookies made by Jodi stashed away in the top drawer of the dresser)!

Joanna and I in front of the Cherry Pie quilt I pieced for her. If you have everything cut out this quilt can easily go together in a day.

Joanna's quilter, Diana created beautiful oval feather wreaths on this quilt.

And here is some more lovely Fig Tree goodness. I pieced the Painted Ladies (butterfly) quilt above. It is absolutely the cutest butterfly block I have ever seen. I can't wait to remake this for me!

Another quilt I pieced for Joanna was this beautiful basket quilt. This is another favorite of mine. The quilt involves a lot of bias edges, but it went together well.

I didn't piece this quilt...but I can't wait to make it. I believe it's a jelly roll project.

And finally, I wanted to share a little of Lori Holt's section since I pieced one of her quilts. Her Bake Sale collection for Riley Blake was featured at market. Lori has lots of cute new patterns for quilts and accessories.

And here is the quilt I pieced for her...the fun tulips in the flower pots...such a fun quilt to piece (especially since she was nice enough to cut it all out for me)!

I can't end this market post without saying that even though the quilts and the fabrics at market are wonderful and beautiful, it really is the people that make it so much fun. I met so many wonderful people at this market. I love seeing what part of the country everyone is from, so I'm constantly searching for the cities on nametags. It's wonderul to meet and get to talk to other people who all love fabric and quilts in the same sense that I do. So thank you everyone! I'll be back tomorrow with more to share and with some fun market giveaways! Thanks so much for stopping by!


PS Paper patterns for my Cross Roads quilt are now available in my Etsy shop.

Market fun

Market has been absolutely wonderful with good people, good friends, and lots of good things to see!




I took a lot of pictures with my camera that I can't wait to share...I have just a few that I took with my phone that I'm using for this post.




It's always fun to see quilts I've pieced---quilted and on display. "Fireworks" (pattern by Camille) is pictured above.....




And "Summer,"  (pattern also by Camille).




Here are Jodi (Pleasant Home), Camille, and I standing in Bonnie's side of the booth.




And here is just a portion of the 19,123 leaves in Moda's gorgeous, award winning booth.
I'll be back soon with lots to share!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Portland, Oregon

Solids Along Post Four

Happy Wednesday! How are your solids blocks coming along?! I've been having a lot of fun with mine. This week (because you know it changes every week) my favorite Moda Bellas are the ones pictured above (from left: Amelia Orange, Peony, Daffodil, Peacock, and Amelia Pink). 

And here are the blocks for today...

First up is Block 13. I really love this design. I used Admiral Blue (9900 48) and Fuschia (9900 190). Directions here.

Next is Block 22 by Basic Grey. I used Peony (9900 91) and Daffodil (9900 250). Directions can be found here.

Finally I made  Block 8 by Lily Ashbury. I used Peacock (9900 216) and Amelia Pink (9900 166). Directions here.

And here are the first twelve together. It's so interesting to take photos in progress. I definitely want to use some more blues and will be sure to add them in on the next go-around of blocks. The next Solids Along blocks will post on May 25th. It's not too late to join in! Once I get the directions written for my setting plan I'll be sharing those in a pdf download.

I'm heading to Portland today for Quilt Market...absolutely can't wait. It's already in the 100's here at home, and I'm looking forward to the Portland weather! I'll be posting on Instagram (sherrimcconnell) and will also try to get in a blog post as well! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Oh...and I have a little post over at the Moda Cutting Table blog today, too. Leave a comment on that blog post if there is anything Moda you'd like to see in my market recap!

Have a wonderful day!

Here and There

The last week has been busy, busy, busy with end-of-the year activities (we have a high school senior--which pretty much explains most of the craziness) and International Quilt Market preparation. I feel like I've been here and there but not really any one place for very long--if that makes sense. I haven't been able to spend much time with my sewing machine, but I did have a chance to start working on my "Gentle Art" quilt.

I've combined some of my favorite fabrics from Bonnie & Camille's Happy Go Lucky and Scrumptious collections--and I love the result! The collections just play wonderfully together. The pattern is fast and fun, too--gotta love those patterns where all the seams nest!

The plan is to get this finished up and ready for quilting before I leave for Portland on Wednesday. If' you're going to be at quilt market I'm giving a SchoolHouse on Thursday at 11:00 Room B115. There will be giveaway copies of my book at the SchoolHouse, and I'm also doing a book signing on Friday at 4:00 at the United Notions/Moda booth 917--hope to see you there!

Before I go today I'd like to share some gorgeous fabrics my friend Emily  sent me...this is her latest collection, Technicolor!

Such gorgeous fabrics...I can't wait to play with them!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Quilt Stories

Every quilt has two stories--the story of its making and the story of the maker during the process. We piece some quilts quickly, and they are finished in an instant of our lives; however, some quilts (as we all know) take a little time. Today I finished one of those quilts that took quite a while to finish. This is my scrappy Tula Pink quilt (Moda Bella Bleached White for background).

I absolutely love so many of the combinations in this quilt...I'll share just a few favorites so the post isn't over-loaded with pictures.

I always tell people I'm not much of a pink fan...but I don't know...I think it just has to be this shade of pink!

And then this combination of blues and greens along with the mix of hexagons and plus signs...love!

It's overcast out today, so I may have gone a little overboard with the pictures...

Anyway, back to the story of this quilt. This quilt is the story of being patient. Sometimes you collect fabrics knowing they are for something special but not knowing what that is. And once I figured out what I was going to do with my small collection of Tula Pink fabrics I knew I wanted to wait for more Tula fabric collections to mix in.

I'm glad I waited. I think this quilt just has so much more depth with the play of so many collections...and yet I also think they mix and match beautifully. Now if I can just figure out a backing...should I look for something now...or wait for another collection to be released? I'll have to ponder that one a while.

I also want to share something I forgot to mention the other day when I shared my "Cross Roads" quilt and pattern. I love the backing I used...it's from another Sweetwater collection, Lucy's Crab Shack.

So if you have any Lucy's Crab Shack sitting around...you might want to keep some to mix in with Road 15 when it is available--they are wonderful together!

Thanks so much for stopping by. And thank you for the lovely pattern comments. It's a little scary putting something out that is a personal design (at least for me), and I appreciate the kind words. Some of you who have left the nicest comments are "no reply" bloggers meaning that I can't email you back to say thank you--so thank you to every one!

PS Patterns for "Cross Roads" are still on sale through Friday in my Etsy shop.


Have a wonderful day!