Gotta love this cute little dress made from selvedge edges in the Ric Rac booth!

I had great neighbors across the aisle from me in the Stella Lighting booth. From left to right are Marshall Collins, Janessa Bruce, Michael McCormick, and Nathan Wiedenmann. Let me tell you, these guys and their lights are amazing! The lights are LED so they never get hot, there are three different settings, warm, natural, and cool to meet all your lighting needs and each of these settings can be dimmed to your specifications to make just the perfect amount and style of lighting you prefer to work on your particular projects. Since there is no bulb to burn out, these lights last for over 50,000 hours of use. As I listened to their spiel throughout the show I decided that I had to have these lights. The task light for my desk followed me home and the floor light, called Stella Sky is on order and I can’t wait to have it in my sewing studio!

A couple of highlights from the show were that I added a new distributor to those that carry my patterns. I am very happy to say that Checker Distributors was added to my list.

And I was excited to see that my block “Cuppity Cake” was on the flyer being distributed to potential designers who may want to add their block to an upcoming issue of 100 Blocks Magazine.

All in all, it was a very successful market for me. I loved meeting new shop owners and it was a joy to see current customers as well. I came home with a head full of new ideas and am anxious to get them down on paper.

Here are the winners I randomly selected using random.org.

Sarah Beyer won a “Santa Mouse” pattern from my website.

Kris S – Won “A Spot of Tea” from my website.

Lavonna ZWB – Will receive a copy of the 100 Blocks Magazine.

Ellen McCaulley – Will receive my “Flamingo Frolics” pattern.

Carol Kuse – Will receive a copy of the 100 Blocks Magazine. Her copy will be sent directly from Quiltmaker.

Congratulations to all the winners. You will be receiving an email from me shortly to get your mailing address.

Hello, and welcome to my blog! I’m so excited to have another block in the 100 Blocks Magazine. There are so many wonderful blocks in this issue to give you some quilting and sewing inspiration, you’ll be busy for months!

If you are anything like me, the ideas to create using these blocks are so abundant that I don’t want to do anything else but lock myself in my sewing studio and sew. Unfortunately though, life has a way of getting in the way of studio time so I just have to stitch a little when I can.

I’m happy that you have made it to Day 4 on the Blog Tour. When I sat down to create a block for this issue I wanted something that could be displayed year ‘round. After a few sketches I decided on a cupcake block as they are so sweet and tempting.

Here are a few ideas of ways to use my “Cuppity Cake” block.

You could make a traditional style quilt using any number of blocks, I kinda like the look of this nine block setting using alternate blocks of four cupcakes.

For something a little simpler, how about a table runner? You can add some cupcake quilting in the center block.

Or, if you really want to try something a little different, here is an idea using the completed block and then taking portions of the design to create something a little more unique. I really like the look of this one.

Giveaway Prizes:

Five lucky winners will be chosen randomly using random.org to win one of the five prizes.  Prizes include one of two copies of the 100 Blocks Magazine, the kind folks at Quiltmaker are supplying one, and I will provide the other. Three Hissyfitz Designs patterns (winner’s choice) will be given away as well.

How to enter:

Go to my website, Hissyfitz Designs, check out my patterns and then leave a comment here stating which pattern you would like to win.

Giveaway will close at midnight EST on Friday, May 3^rd.  Winners will be contacted by email and will be posted here on my blog.

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Thanks for stopping by and I would love it if you would “like” me on Facebook to be the first to find out about my latest patterns.

Don’t forget to “share” the giveaway with your family and friends.  We don’t want anyone to miss out on the fun!

Be sure to check back tomorrow with the Quilty Pleasures blog to see even more inspiring blocks and ideas!

It’s almost here! The new issue, Volume 7, of 100 Blocks magazine will hit the newsstands on May 7th. If you want to get a jump on viewing some of the gorgeous blocks in this issue you can hop on over to the Blog Hop which starts today! This fun “hop-a-long” continues through the week and gives you lots of opportunities to win your own copy of the magazine as well as other prizes offered on some of the blogging websites.
Oh yeah, I have a block in this issue, it’s even on the cover. My cute little Cuppity Cake block is so easy to make. My date for the Blog Tour is Thursday, May 2nd but you can jump in anytime and start enjoying some creative fun. Head on over to Quilty Pleasures to join along. See you back here on Thursday.

Marmalade Sunset by Ludmila Aristova

I love the way Ludmilla used tucks in the fabric to represent the texture of the buildings in this cityscape of New York City.

Rainy Day – San Francisco by Sally Wright

Love the composition of this!

A World of Many Colors by Georgeta Grama

This quilt was made by a wonderful quilt artist from Romania. As I stood and stared at this quilt I tried to figure out how it was done. The techniques listed were shadow trapunto, fused appliqué and wholecloth. It is absolutely breathtaking and the machine quilting is exquisite!

Berne House Quilt

This quilt was made by members of the Bernese Quilters for an exhibition in Berne, Switzerland in 2010. One hundred fifty-six different blocks were made separately and then put together. One member took it upon herself to replicate the famous clock tower, a well-known landmark of the city of Berne, which can be seen in the lower middle of the quilt.

The Blacksmith: Tribute to Gilbert Hart by Melissa Burdon

Portrait quilts are some of my favorites. This quilt depicts the great-grandfather of Melissa Burdon who worked as a blacksmith in Okaramio, Marlborough, New Zealand. Melissa stated that a photograph of him at work, dated 1917, inspired her to make the quilt.

Captain Kimo by Nancy Sterett Martin and Karen Sistek

This quilt was inspired by a photograph taken by Captain Kimo (used with the artist’s permission). It was hand painted on silk by Nancy and Karen and quilted by Nancy.

Flower Quartet by Yasuko Sugaya

Japanese quilters always inspire me. This quilt was hand pieced, hand appliquéd, hand embroidered and hand quilted. It was made by Yasuko Sugaya as a gift for her daughter. Stunning.

Baltimore in Berlin by Karin Grabowski

Karin made this small Baltimore album style quilt in honor of her husband’s 50th birthday using silk ribbon embroidery and beading.

There were so many beautiful quilts in the show and I just didn’t have enough space on my camera to capture them all. If you ever get a chance to attend a large quilt show, don’t hesitate as it will provide you with so much inspiration. I usually leave these shows with so many ideas in my head that it is hard to sleep at night!

Since I usually attend these shows alone, I don’t have as much time to view the quilts in the quilt show, so I try to arrive early each day and take in a little at a time. It helps to re-energize me for the day ahead when I see such amazing works of art.

I took many pictures over the course of four days and will try to post as many as I can here. I don’t want to overwhelm you with too long a post today so I will break them up over a few days.

This is what the vendor floor and quilt show looks like before the show opens, nice and calm with everything in it’s place. As the show opens and the crowds gather you can hardly see the red carpet on the floor. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a picture of the crowds because I was too busy welcoming people into my booth.

I must say that I love the reaction of customers the first time they step into my booth. Usually they stand there with a smile on their face as their gaze slowly makes its way around to all the quilts. Sometimes they are so excited about the designs that they return again and again as was the case with Joann Prince and Charisse Boychuk.

I especially enjoyed the show and tell that I received from eight year old Scarlett. Just look at those perfect points on those triangles! I see a quilt show ribbon in her future.

Modern quilts are certainly making a name for themselves and it was great to see a special exhibit from the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild featuring the Dresden Plate.

Mod Polka Party by Barbara Chenault, quilted by Katy Doench

Reds-den Plate by Janine Keeton

The Dresden Files by Kelly Biscopink, Quilted by Angela Walters

Switching Gears by Amy Thonnerieux

 I was able to meet Amy and her mom on Saturday as they came by my booth. Amy’s sister, Tracey is a friend of my two daughters and was stationed with them in Okinawa, it really is a small world. Just as Amy’s quilt suggests with all the gears connecting, it is amazing the connections we make with people worldwide.

The next two quilts are also modern quilts but were in other areas of the quilt show.

Ripple by Daniel Rouse

Ripple by Daniel Rouse  is a modern take on the Drunkard’s Path block.

Sky High by Kate Stiassni, Quilted by Jackie Kunkel

So many beautiful quilts to share and I’m really enjoying the modern quilt movement. It is especially exciting to see so many younger quilters getting involved and using their creativity to update  traditional quilts.

It’s not often that I go to the dentist and come out with a smile on my face. However, last week I had my six month dental checkup and my wonderful dental hygienist surprised me by bringing in a self portrait wallhanging that she had made. Robin did a wonderful job on her wallhanging and I was honored that she brought it in to share with me!

Cruisin’ looks great on any tote bag.

A Spot of Tea looks great on a tablerunner.

Owl Be Seeing U would make a great little wallhanging, or make several blocks for a quilt.

Stitch was quilted and mounted on a canvas frame, makes a great little wallhanging for your sewing studio!

Santa Mouse looks great on a pillow for the holidays.

Whoo, Whoo, Whoo would add a little whimsy to any holiday project!

When I started designing my block for Volume 6, I wanted to make a block that could read, “fall” but that could also be kept up year ‘round.  I went through a few ideas and came up with Acorns Away.  This is a really simple applique block, it only has five pieces so you can make it up in a jiffy.

As I started my designing process I began to sketch out a few ideas….

Once I settled on the final design it was a matter of choosing the right fabrics to make it sing. As a designer, I find this to be the hardest part because I am dealing with a line drawing and no pattern cover for guidance.  I pulled lots of fabrics, browns, golds, greens, but couldn’t really “see” it yet until I unearthed a couple of pieces with some gold accents added in.  In my opinion, more is more and I always love a little extra something to catch your eye when designing my patterns.

Next began the process of deciding on a background color and, after auditioning a few choices, I decided to go with black to give it a little drama.

I also love to add a little extra accent detail with a flange of a contrasting color. I often add a flange to my quilts instead of an inner border. This little strip of fabric not only adds that extra pop of color but it also allows me to begin my free-motion quilting by lifting it up and beginning and ending my stitching underneath it.  This little trick makes it more difficult for anyone to find where I begin and end my stitches.

What fun you can have making these simple blocks into a small three block wallhanging for a skinny wall in your home which needs just the right decorative touch.

Or make five blocks of the acorn and four blocks of the leaf design to make a bigger wallhanging.

You could make the blocks all the same, or kick it up a little by changing the colors of the leaves.

I hope you will give this block a try, don’t be afraid of the “a” word, you can applique this with any method, by machine using fusible web and a blanket or satin stitch, by hand, or even raw edge applique.

To win a copy of  Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Volume 6 or one of my patterns, simply go to my website, http://www.HissyfitzDesigns.com, check out my patterns, and then come back here and leave a comment as to which of my patterns you would like to win. Two winners  will be chosen at random. If you have a Facebook account, I’d really appreciate it if you would “Like” me.

Continue to enjoy the rest of the Blog Tour by going to the Quiltmaker’s Blog Quilty Pleasures each day of the tour, November 5-9. You’ll have such fun trying to decide which project you want to try next!

Enjoy!