Summer Sampler 2016 - Turkey Vulture



Yes!  Today is the kick off of the Summer Sampler 2016 and I am honored to be the first designer up to bat with my Turkey Vulture block.

So...............................
Turkey Vulture, huh?  Odd name for a block?  Perhaps. 
I designed this block right after returning from spring break with my family where we hit the road, heading to see family in Camp Lejeune, NC.  As it turns out, that's not all we hit.
About 60 miles from our destination, a turkey vulture on the side of the road took flight directly into us.  Thank goodness my husband was driving because I fully admit I ducked and covered.  The giant bird smashed our windshield top to bottom and showered us with shattered glass.  Luckily, no one was hurt (except probably the bird).

We pulled off at the next exit, the kids really only concerned if the dvd player was still in working order.  My husband snapped the above photo, asking me to give the thumbs up.  I was not in the mood.

Anywho, when designing this block I started off with the Hovering Hawk block and started playing from there.  I couldn't get this turkey vulture story out of my head, and I thought if I pixelated the center of the "hawk", it would look just like our smashed prism windshield.
Inspiration strikes in funny ways sometimes.  ;)  I can't wait to play along with the Summer Sampler 2016.  I hope to keep up and I'm making mine from my scrap bin.  Hope you enjoy this week's block pattern!
 

Coming soon to Fons & Porter's "Love of Quilting" TV

It's been an absolute whirlwind this week!  I wanted to show you what I was up to the past few days.  I popped in and out of Iowa to film an episode of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting TV show series.  I will be featured in an episode of the upcoming 2800 series, which starts airing this July (2016) on local PBS stations.

I'll have plenty more details about the project I'm teaching and how to catch the show when it gets closer to airing on PBS this summer and fall. 

But I couldn't help sharing this teaser pic with you now.  It was so much fun!  I was on with Love of Quilting's guest host Patrick Lose.  He was wonderful to work with - he is so kind and calming.  I might have been a wee bit nervous!  Can't wait to show you more in a few months.

Free Sister Sampler Project: Ataraxy Envelope Pillows


Looking for some EXTRA Sister Sampler blocks in your life?  Well, you're in luck!  If you can't get enough of Sister Blocks (making blocks in pairs) -or- are curious to try some out before you embark on an entire sampler, there is a FREE project download available.

The envelope pillow set, Ataraxy and Ataraxy Inverse, are based on the block concept for the second sampler in the book, the Vice Versa Sampler.  In those blocks, we make the traditional block and then invert the colors in the second block.  The color goes to the background and background shades come to the foreground.  Fun!
You can try out a vice versa inverse block set and turn them into these fun pillows.  Actually, you can make ANY set of Sister Blocks from the book in the 12" size and turn them into these pillows.  You add a small border to make the 14" pillow envelopes.  See the pillow pattern for details.
I had fun making this set in such bright and picnic-y colors.  Then I used small 1/2" crosshatch quilting to make the design really pop.  Please share with us if you end up making these!  #sistersamplerquilts