The Splendid Sampler II, Block 12: Free as a Bird

Today, we started Week 12 of the Splendid Sampler 2 Block-of-the-Week quilt along.

Last week, we introduced you to the block, called: Tulip in Bloom by Nadra Ridgeway. You can see my version of her block, here.

Oh my goodness! I'm so excited about this week's block . . . the design is so well executed and it was great fun to make! This week's block designer is Irene Blanck. Please check out the blog post she wrote about her block because she included some great photos; one of which is a version of the block using just stitches. I love it!

Irene's block is called: Free as a Bird. Here is my version:

It has been a while since I made an applique block with so many pieces and I had such a great time choosing my fabrics for this project!

The first fabrics I chose were for the bird's wings. I've wanted to use that cream/gray dot for a while, now, and finally found a place that felt right using it.

I loved how Irene used a print where she purposely chose an element of the fabric for the bird's eye and so I wanted to do the same, if possible. That's when I saw the black print and fussy-cut the bird's body from it. Before I did my fussy-cutting and using a pin, I poked a hole in my template where the eye would be. Then, I pinned through the eye element printed on the fabric so I knew where I wanted to fussy cut the bird from.

Next, I chose the blue cross-hatch and words print for the bird's tail feathers. The rest of the fabrics, for the branch, leaves and berry, tied the fabric choices together and added a sense of visual balance. I decided to use the yellow flower print as my background because I liked how it was reminiscent of a flower garden on a sunny day.

There were two things I slightly changed: 1) I made the branch a bit thicker, and 2) I embroidered the legs with a bend in them. The branch is probably a bit wider than I would have liked and didn't notice it until after I attached the berry at the tip. However, overall, I'm very happy with the results.

The Splendid Sampler 2 book will be available October 2018. It is currently available for pre-sale so order your copy, now!

Suz-A-Palooza: Week 2 Winners Announced!

You can still sign up for Suz-A-Palooza! Go here for information on signing up, and for a chance to win the remaining week's prizes, plus Grand Prize! You must participate in the current week's Palooza to be eligible for that week's prizes.

I use a random generator to "pull" the winners of the prizes each week. Here are this week's winners:

Prize 1: One Layer Cake, from the collection called "Perennials" by Kansas Troubles for Moda.

Congratulations! Winner: Susan S.!

 

Prize 2: One Layer Cake, from the collection called "Max and Whiskers" by Basic Grey for Moda.

Congratulations! Winner: Jennie B.!

Prize 3: One Layer Cake, from the collection called "Buttercup" by Fig Tree & Co. for Moda.

Congratulations! Winner: Patricia P.!

Prize 4: My pattern for SuzGuz Designs called "In The Neighborhood" (retail value: $9.50).

Congratulations! Winner: Nancy B.!

Prize 5: My pattern for SuzGuz Designs called "Box of Chocolates" (retail value: $9.50).

Congratulations! Winner: Peggy M.!

Prize 6: One package of full size 50 wt. 100% cotton AURIfil threads (approx. retail value: $38.00)

Congratulations! Winner: Suzanne N.!

BONUS Prize: Photo Wallet and List Pad designed by Amy Butler.

Congratulations! Winner: Jenelle B.!

 

Prizes in the coming weeks will be similar. The Grand Prize will have an approximate retail value of over $150!


I hope you are enjoying participating in Suz-A-Palooza! I'm so excited to get the prizes in the mail to our winners! Each winner has been contacted.

Thanks so much for participating! Congratulations, again, to our winners! And Good Luck to you in Week 3's drawings!

 Please note: I am sad to say that there were 3 people who participated in last week's Palooza on my FACEBOOK FAN PAGE who did not send me an initial e-mail through my website to register (giving their full name, email address and "suzapalooza12" in the comments section, here). This information is required so that I can contact you for prize winnings. In further checking, and I cannot say this for sure, but I believe one of the 3 people sent me their first name only, so I was unable to register them.

Treat Yourself To A Box of Chocolates, Now!

Our Box of Chocolates quilt pattern is super-easy and so fun to make! AND so easy to shop for (whether it's in your stash or at your local quilt shop!). We used fat quarters to create this one, just for you.

Click on the image to go to our shop for more information and to order our newest addition to our growing line of patterns!