AP&Q Radio

Today I'm  honored and excited to be a guest on the American Patchwork and Quilting Radio program hosted by Pat Sloan, I hope you have time to listen in.  

The live radio broadcast begins at 3pm Central Time (4 pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific) Click here to get connected. 

It's going to be a super casual discussion between two ladies that love to quilt.  Since the theme for the shows this month is how to make accurate quilts, I'll be sharing a few of the things that I do to help me get accurate results. I'm sure Pat and I will also chat about some other quilty topics, and with it being live radio, anything goes! 

After all these years of following my blog, here's your chance to really hear me talk, in person, live, isn't technology crazy!  

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Fat Quarter Shop Snapshots Quilt Along - Block 9 - Quilty Cat

Are you ready for a new Snapshots block?  It's that time again!!  

This month's block is Quilty Cat, my latest favorite.  At the beginning of this sew along I would have thought I would be saying my least favorite, but now that this block is done, I really do like it, even if my house is a dog house.  Funny story, when I first looked at the pattern I thought this block was called Grumpy Cat, which I thought was hilarious.  But it's Quilty Cat, a more appropriate but less entertaining name.

This block is very easy and goes together quickly.  It only has 35 pieces.  I finished this block in less than two hours, start to finish!  I made my block exactly like the pattern except for swapping the navy  sailboat print for the navy circle print. I still need to add some eyes, I'm going to attach some fabric eyes now, instead of adding button eyes later.

Here's a picture of how I trimmed the scrappy blue quilt unit block.

I found it easier to trim with the block set on point and ruler straight as opposed to running the ruler diagonally as shown in the pattern.  

Here are all my pieced blocks.

So about this time during a sew along it's so easy to fall behind, lose interest, or even drop out.  If you're behind a block or two at least piece Quilty Cat this month!  Maybe that will motivate you to finish some of the other blocks, and if not, you'll at least have one more block pieced.  Just because you've missed a couple of blocks don't think you have to wait to piece this fun and easy kitty.  I've enjoyed sewing each block each month, but I have a deadline to blog about the latest block, congratulations to those of you who have also pieced your blocks right along with me! We only have 3 more blocks to go!

I am thrilled that the FQS has already surpassed it's initial goal of raising $10,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its new goal of $20,000. The last time I checked the amount raised was over $31,189, how great is that!  As a reminder, the monthly patterns are a free download, a donation is up to you, the suggested donation is $5.  Here is a link to the pattern, instructional video, donation page, and everything else you need to know.  (click here)  The backing and finishing directions are also now available.

Here are a few more folks participating in the sew along, be sure to check out their bikes.

Pat Sloan of The Voice of Quilting

Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

Pam Viera-McGinnis of Pam Kitty Morning

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs
Stephanie Kendron of The Modern Sewciety

Natalia Bonner of Piece N Quilt
Greg Jones of Grey Dogwood Studios
Jessie Fincham of Messy Jesse

And finally, check out instagram, #fqssnapshots for some great blocks and inspiration.

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Voila, it's a finish . . . .

When I started working on this pattern I wasn't sure if I wanted the size that the pattern made or  maybe a smaller wall hanging size.  Once I finished my first 4 blocks I new I wanted a smaller size.

This will fit perfectly on the wall in my kitchen.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 163

The pattern is Viola by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co, but I call my top Voila!

It finished at 46" x 46"

It has approximately 359 pieces.

I paper pieced  my stems and received a few emails asking for directions explaining my process.  Unfortunately I can't show any pictures of the stem block from the pattern, that would be a copyright violation.  But if you have the pattern, trace half the stem block onto a piece of paper, take the curve out the stem, but leave the outer stem placement exactly where it is on the pattern.  Start from the left and move to right, 7 pieces, and you're done, voila!

Sinta and Nicole are working away on their full size Viola's, and I love them both,  check out their progress.  Also, be sure to let me know how you're doing on your progress if you've decided to sew along.

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