Jennifer's Blog

“Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol 5” Blog Tour

I'm pleased to announce that one of my original quilt block designs, Loyal Daughter, will be included in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 5. This wonderful new collection of block patterns officially goes on sale on May 8, 2012, although you may be lucky enough to spot it on the shelves of your favorite quilt shop or newsstand even earlier.

The Loyal Daughter block is featured in my most recent novel, Sonoma Rose (Dutton, Feb 2012), in which Rosa Diaz Barclay decides to make a special quilt for her steadfast eldest daughter, Marta, to thank her for her loyalty and love in difficult times. I used fabrics from my Red Rooster Fabrics line, "Elm Creek Quilts: The Winding Ways Quilt Collection," for this version of the block.

As much as I like these pretty spring colors, I decided to try a few other fabric options for the Loyal Daughter block just for fun. What could be more appropriate than the vineyard harvest colors of the fabric line inspired by Sonoma Rose, "Elm Creek Quilts: Rosa's Collection"?

The rich, classic hues of my fabric line, "Elm Creek Quilts: Anneke's Collection" makes a much bolder statement:

I think my "Elm Creek Quilts: Circle of Quilters Collection" fabrics lends the Loyal Daughter block an antique, Christmasy look, don't you?

Arranged into a quilt top in straight sets, the block above would look a little something like this:

Here's how the Anneke's Collection version appears when arranged in straight sets with sashing and cornerstones:

The blocks are set on point in this rendition, made from Rosa's Collection:

This version also uses fabrics from Rosa's Collection, with the blocks set on point with sashing and cornerstones:

Here's another rendition of this same quilt using the soft, romantic colors of "Elm Creek Quilts: Caroline's Collection," which was inspired by my novel, The Wedding Quilt:

Wouldn't you like to to try your hand at this fun block and some of the other 99 patterns in this special issue? The creative staff of Quiltmaker have graciously offered to give away a free copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 5 to one lucky person who visits my blog today. All you have to do is comment on this post, describing how you would select colors or fabrics to make a Loyal Daughter quilt that has special meaning to you or to an important person in your life. A winner will be selected at random from those who comment on this post before 11:59 PM Central Time tonight.

Don't forget to follow the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour April 30 to May 4 for inspiration, conversations with some of your favorite quilt designers, and lots of great giveaways. Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 5 will be available in your local quilt shop by May 8th, or you can order it directly from Quiltmaker.

Thanks, and Happy Quilting!

Jennifer

“Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol 4” Blog Tour

UPDATE: The deadline for entering the Quiltmaker giveaway has passed and the winner will be announced soon. Thanks to all who participated!

I'm pleased to announce that one of my original quilt block designs, Gettysburg, will be included in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4, which will be available November 15.

The Gettysburg block is featured in the Loyal Union Sampler, a quilt that plays a significant role in my novel, The Union Quilters (Dutton, Feb 2011). I used fabrics from my Red Rooster Fabrics line, "Elm Creek Quilts: Anneke's Collection," for this version of my block.

Just for fun, I experimented with some different fabric possibilities for Gettysburg. The autumnal hues of my fabric line, "Elm Creek Quilts: The Cross-Country Quilters Collection" suits the season well.

This soft, romantic version uses my newest fabric line, "Elm Creek Quilts: Caroline's Collection," which is inspired by a lovely bride in my most recent novel, The Wedding Quilt (Dutton, November 2011).

A block using my "Elm Creek Quilts: The Christmas Quilt Collection" fabric line would deck the halls beautifully!

Appealing secondary patterns appear when you arrange the blocks into a quilt top. These Gettysburg blocks are arranged in straight sets with sashing and cornerstones:

The patriotic colors of this version suit the quilt block's name well:

The blocks are set on point in this rendition:

I think this version, with the blocks set on point with sashing, is my favorite:

Wouldn't you like to to try your hand at this fun block, and the 99 other patterns in this special issue? The creative folks at Quiltmaker have graciously offered to give away a free copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4 to one lucky person who visits my blog today. All you have to do is comment on this post, describing how you would select colors or fabrics to make a Gettysburg block that has special meaning to you or to an important person in your life. A winner will be selected at random from those who comment on this post before 11:59 PM Central Time tonight. The deadline for entries has passed. Thanks to all who participated!

Don't forget to follow the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour November 7-11 for inspiration, conversations with some of your favorite quilt designers, and lots of great giveaways. Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4 will be available in your local quilt shop by November 15th, or you can order it directly from Quiltmaker.

Thanks, and Happy Quilting!

Jennifer

PS: In addition to this virtual blog tour, I'm also traveling on a "real life" book tour to promote my new novel, The Wedding Quilt. Please see the "Events" link above to see where I'll be. If I'm coming to a town near you, I hope you'll come see me!

A New Quilt Pattern and a Contest—Courtesy of Quiltmaker!

I'm pleased to announce that a pattern for "Caroline's Bouquet," a quilt inspired by my forthcoming novel, THE WEDDING QUILT, is included in the latest edition of Quiltmaker's Small Quilts & Gifts.

You'll find the magazine on newsstands, or you can order one online here.

Quiltmaker is also sponsoring an Elm Creek Quilts contest from now until November 30! You can win the Caroline's Bouquet quilt featured in the magazine, fabric from Red Rooster, and an autographed book. Click here for more information.

Good luck!

Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Blog Tour

I'm pleased to announce that one of my original quilt block designs, Commencement, will be included in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 3, which will be available May 10.

The Commencement block is featured in my forthcoming novel, The Wedding Quilt (Dutton, Nov 2011). One of the characters in the novel makes a quilt from the Commencement block as a graduation gift for her daughter — but I can't tell you which characters or that would give away too many surprises in the story! I made this version of Commencement with fabrics from my most recent line from Red Rooster Fabrics—"Elm Creek Quilts: Anneke's Collection." This is the version that will appear in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 3 with the pattern for making the block.

I've had fun playing with other color possibilities for Commencement. Here's a nice version to celebrate the much anticipated arrival of spring in Wisconsin using my "Elm Creek Quilts: Elizabeth's Collection" fabric line.

For something a bit more tropical, you could say "Aloha!" to this version using my "Elm Creek Quilts: The Aloha Quilt" collection.

The Commencement block is striking in these autumnal jewel tones from "Elm Creek Quilts: The Cross-Country Quilters Collection."

Beautiful secondary patterns appear when you arrange the blocks into a quilt top. These Commencement blocks are arranged in straight sets:

Here's an illustration of a blue and gold Commencement quilt that would have been perfect for my graduation from the University of Notre Dame. (Hmm...I wonder if I would have time to make this before our class reunion in June...?)

And this is how the Commencement block looks set on point:

Aren't you eager to try your hand at this fun block, and the 99 other patterns in this special issue? The creative folks at Quiltmaker have graciously offered to give away a free copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 3 to one lucky person who visits my blog today. All you have to do is comment on this post, describing how you would select colors or fabrics to make a Commencement block that has special meaning to you or to an important graduate in your life. A winner will be selected at random from those who comment on this post before 11:59 PM Central Time tonight.

Don't forget to follow the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Tour May 2-6 for inspiration, conversations with some of your favorite quilt designers, and lots of great giveaways. Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 3 will be available in your local quilt shop by May 10th, or you can order it directly from Quiltmaker.

Thanks, and Happy Quilting!

Jennifer

THE CHRISTMAS QUILT Fabric Collection

I can't believe I overlooked Kimberly Camou's January 3rd comment in the Readers' Circle until now. Kimberly reports:

I found an online store that will have the new fabric collection in March.

Jennifer, I can’t wait until you post pics of all the swatches, but so far, from what I’ve seen, they look just beautiful! Thanks again for all you do!

I have posted the remaining swatches in the Gallery since then, but Kimberly, here's a belated thank you for keeping me informed. What would I do without my readers?