Oh look who came....Amanda with her Modern Blossom Block

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to be visiting here at Madame Samm's fantastic blog today!  She asked me to share a few block ideas with you and I am happy to oblige.  I can't wait to see what you make with them so send pictures!  Feel free to upload them to my flickr group.

I'll be sharing five blocks throughout these next weeks and they are all very different.  Let's start with one of my favorite motifs - FLOWERS!  I use flowers in all my fabric collections to date and many of my patterns in my pattern line.  (You can also find some of my patterns in pdf form on Craftsy.)

I'm calling this block Modern Blossom - she is big and showy.  She can be sewn with borders, for a 12-1/2'' block, or without, for a 10'' block.

Start with 2 10'' squares of fabric for the Blossom and Background.  Print out two copies of the Modern Blossom Template and tape the Blossoms motifs together along the dashed line.  Trace the motif onto paper-backed fusible web and cut out the center so your finished piece won't be stiff.  Fuse the Blossom shape onto one of the 10'' squares of fabric.  Cut out, remove paper, and fuse onto the remaining 10'' square.  (You can also just cut out the shape and use a glue stick or spray adhesive to temporarily attach it if you would prefer.)  Use a buttonhole stitch to secure the appliqué.  Don't worry about knotting the ends of the thread - they will be caught in the seams if you start sewing at the edge of the pieces.  Cut the excess Background fabric from behind the Blossom.

Now, using the same process, trace 4 petals onto fusible web.  Cut out the center and fuse onto the wrong side of the petal fabric.  Cut out, remove paper backing, and arrange on top of the block so that the points all meet in the center.  Fuse and appliqué to secure.

Trace the Blossom Center onto fusible web, fuse to Blossom Center, and secure in the same manner.  (Or use a  yo-yo - you know I can't get enough of them!)

If desired, cut out 2 (1-3/4'' x 10'') rectangles and sew them on the sides of the block.  Cut out 2 (1-3/4'' x 12-1/2'') rectangles and sew them onto the top and bottom of the block.

That's it.  You could make three blocks for a fun summer table runner or sew up a bunch for fun quilt.  It might look like this...

12 blocks without borders

This would be a good choice for a layer cake because you wouldn't need a bigger cut than a 10'' square.

Or add sashing for a different look....

12 blocks without borders... with sashing!

Or put a separate border on each block for more detail...

12 blocks with individual borders

Thanks to Madame Samm for having me.

Have fun and happy sewing everyone!

Amanda

and the party continues....

Yes, another lovely lady I came across while on holidays..... She is just sew darn sweet. and sew accommodating too. Before I was even a quilter..(* not even a great one at that) I was purchasing these calendars. Of course never once thinking someday I would be managing a blog ( 2 actually) and meeting the authors. Who would have thought lol. Sew it gives me great pleasure to introduce yet another BLOCK Lady....Debby Kratovil you have the floor...

ABOUT DEBBY KRATOVIL

Debby Kratovil was Special Projects Editor with QUILT Magazine for 15 years, with over 600 articles published. In 2006 alone, she saw 54 of her quilts published, with another dozen sewn for major fabric companies. She has seen 25 of her quilts make the cover of quilting magazines, with 9 covers in 2006 alone. As she says, "I sew for the camera, making sure my quilts are very photogenic." She is a popular teacher both locally and nationally, as many happy students will attest. Debby authored "Bold, Black & Beautiful Quilts" (AQS, 2004), six quilting calendars for Accord/Andrews McMeel Publishing (2006 - 2012), a perpetual Quilter's Block-a-Day Calendar and companion CD by Martingale. Her latest book, Supersize "Em Quilts, is filled with 22 projects to appeal to any quilter's discriminating taste. Debby is a prolific quilter, designer, and illustrator. Her next book, "Perfect Paper Pieced Points" is due out in February 2013. Best of all, she enjoys every minute of it.

Currently she designs and sews quilts for 3 fabric companies and her quilts appear in a variety of magazines. She loves to travel and teach and working for the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo takes her to a dozen cities a year.

Debby takes her wide range of quilting skills from a pile of fabric to a finished quilt, then to creating the patterns and professional illustrations print-ready. Debby likes to say, "I've never met a fabric I didn't like." One of her special talents is making a beautiful quilt using challenging fabric collections. She is on very good terms with her computer and computerized sewing machines, which enables her to take a project from start to finish quickly.

Debby lives in Fairfax, Virginia with her husband Phil and dog Belle. She has 3 grown daughters and an awesome grandson!

Here is the link to Debby's crib, ( blog, site, home) ....

Debby and Jean Ann are ready for 2013.
Here is their calendar for next year!

You can order next years calendar now...here

Who is having a birthday this YEAR?

Debby sent this one for appliqué, I can just imagine the possibilities...

Surely someone needs a birthday block to remind

them how wonderful they are. ( to us)

A happy birthday to" me" celebration!

I have noted many  birthday celebrations lately

often put on by the bloggers themselves...lol

Always nice to know how much we all appreciate 

knowing someone's birthday celebration.

WE love celebrating YOU!

Sew happy name sake day all you birthday peeps out there..

It is YOUR YEAR! no doubt about it....

Thanks Debby.

If you go visit her too..I bet she will just love to hear from you...

This link will provide you with this cake block full size

Here is Debby's blog, be sure to join her, she will be regular with us for awhile..

my best