Solid Blocks

You may have noticed the blocks hanging from the ceiling at Bright Hopes Quilting lately. All the staff have been making them and as they come in, they go up and we hope to have the ceiling covered in a few weeks.

Each block is made entirely of solids. Only solids. The pure color allows the block to stand out and keeps things simplified. It has a rather Amish look to it. It is exciting for me to walk in and see new ones hanging.

Each block is at least 16" square. This is a great size because once the project comes down, people can turn the individual squares into sofa pillows or bags. With enough of them, a good sampler quilt is a definite possibility!

So, what are we doing this for?

Fun, mainly. Why not just have fun? Why have to make a whole huge quilt just to play around a little? I have my own personal favorite blocks: Dutchman's Puzzle, Variable Star, Card Trick, Rising Star (in fact I am almost finished with a huge scrappy batik in this block, I like it so much!) and I really like how they look all by their lonesome.

Challenge. Well.... let's face it, some people are skeptical of solids. "The heck!", you say.  

No, really! They are so bold and simple that they can intimate! 

Okay, here's a question for you: When was the last time you incorporated a solid into your quilt unless it was the background? hmmmmm?

These solids of ours started arriving last summer and I watched them float in, maybe 15-20 at a time. Gorgeous pure color. And I waited. After a few months, we had over 100 bolts of crayon-colors lining the shelves like soldiers and I just mentally malfunctioned.

They are so clean and strong and frightening! I mean.... part of what we do every day is attempt to match and pair colors with each other in a fabric line or for a pattern. With solids, it really is hit or miss and so very evident when you miss!

Here is an example: We got in the latest Kaffe Fassett's just before Christmas and I really like this bright, tropical floral. I knew the quilt I wanted to make, as well.

Gorgeous bold color and the antithesis of Winter. So, I picked up the bolt and waltzed over to the solids. With 100+ colors to choose from, matching these oranges and purples should be a breeze!

WRONG

With two possible exceptions, none of the solids match the color exactly but they came together and played nicely with each other.

This is New York Beauty, a block I have wanted to make for quite a while. I knew I wanted to make the spikes in solids to really show them off!

 Everything else was negotiable.

I am showing below the blue I had chosen (originally) to use in this sample but as I was 'auditioning' the spikes in the New York Beauty to the prints and with the help of an honest friend (Thanks Kathy! You made it better!), I realized that this blue was never going to play nicely with the other colors. So I kicked him out. It was the closest blue to the Fassett print we had, so I took it. Didn't use it. That's okay too; it gave me a background color for a Solids Block.

What I find really interesting is those colors below, in this Little Sister block, are the same orange, purple and pink as you see above, but look how washed out the pink appears in the block! (I also want you to look at the tight points!)(another reason to make simple blocks... practice the points!)

Okay, all this being said, if you would like to join this project, make any square block you like (or multiples... we like participation!) using ONLY SOLIDS and make them at least 16" but no larger than 24". Pin your name to the back so we know who to return them to and drop them off at the shop.

There is no competition and no swap because the sizes would be confusing. Also, this is for fun!

We'll have them hanging on display for all to see.

I'll Have A Box Of Crayons, Please. A BIG One!

As a kid, I remember going back to school as an exciting event because of the new school supplies. Folders, lined loose-leaf paper, ball-point pens and unsharpened pencils. My favorite thing of all was a fresh new box of Crayola crayons. All lined up like soldiers, each color better than the other. It was an especially great year when I got the Big Box; what was it? 128 colors? Can that be right? It had a sharpener on the back...... well it seemed like a 128 colors and I was in heaven.

When we began receiving the Colorworks solid fabric line, all those memories came flooding back and with every shipment, I went slightly bonkier and now that we have all of them in stock, my eyes go awandering in their direction as soon as I walk in the door! And now that I have let the dust settle down from Market, I have been carrying home FQs and 1/3 yard cuts of these lovely creatures and, like a kid at recess on a rainy day, I've been playing!

It started with this Dresden plate using chevrons and Kaffe Fassett fabric. I love the use of the zig-zag to create the optical illusion and how the plate pops off the solid electic blue background! Fussy fussy center! If I'd had enough of the fabric at home, I would've fussy-cut the blades to all be identical; as it was, I had enough to pair each blade.

Then, I played with the Fassett/solid fabric dresden plate and a different direction, as though they were leaves. 

Here, I mixed it all up with directional chevrons and Fassett fabric set in an Amish block with a star center. Love this!

This a Modern Baby quilt top using solids with two different baby motif fabrics. The baby fabric is so cute and it is printed with unusual colors that I don't normally relate with babies so, clearly, this is what I gravitated towards! Then I paired them with, again, nonconformist baby colors to make a bold crib quilt. The pattern is by Modern Quilt Relish and it's called Market Values.

I have some new ideas percolating upstairs and wish there were more hours in a day than 24. As luck would have it, I get an extra one tonight.

Don't forget to set your clocks back!

Kathy Brown and More Take 5 Quilts

Kathy Brown at The Teacher's Pet has been designing some really beautiful fabrics lately and we have quite a collection on the shelves here at Bright Hopes Quilting. She is a very busy woman, creating new quilt patterns and books & touring the country. Her most recent book is "More Take 5 Quilts".

Linda Kay just brought in her striking version of the Buzz Cut quilt from this book and she used Brown's newest fabric collection, Maddie, in the sample.

This is a very large bed quilt and Linda Kay will teaching it on Friday, Sept 21. Give us a call to sign up for the class.
985-845-9554

Drop by to see more of Kathy Brown's fabrics and pattern as well.

Up-coming Classes and Peanuts Fabric

I just received the Schedule of Classes and Calendar from Linda Kay and am in the process of converting the PDF so you can view it here on the blog. Since this usually takes several hours, I am giving the viewers of this blog a head-start on knowing the classes that are coming during the first two weeks of March.

Friday, March 2 and Monday, March 5 will be Linda Kay's 2-Part Duffle class. This is a class that fills up fast, so don't wait if you're wanting to sign up.

Saturday, March 3, Same thing with Celeste's Chenille Rug class.

Thursday, March 8, Eleanor Bag with Mary Gerardi. Really cute handbag

Friday, March 9, FreeForm Quilt with Carolyn Burga, Modern Quilting an Freeform cutting. Use your scrap strips.

Saturday, March 10, Beginning Quilting with Linda Kay. Learn the Basics of Quiltmaking in one day.

Later in April, we are holding a 2 day class for experienced quilters in making the Radiant Star Quilt with Eleanor Burns' book, Radiant Star. Here is our sample using Kathy Brown's new fabric line, Abigail

Did you see on the newsletter that we received the Peanuts fabrics?

Pearl is kitting these bolts into a fun layered quilt.

So I Walked In The Door And What Did I See?

These batiks arrived just two days ago and are already beating tracks out the door and small wonder why!

The flickering fleur de lis' are really beautiful and I love the color schemes we have here.

I don't know what I am going to make with them and I don't care. The point is they will be in my stash when the inspiration strikes! (I know! I know! Again there goes the New Years Resolution!) (What can I say? I'm a glutton for batik) This beautiful doesn't last long.

So, yesterday Celeste had her Happy Shacks class and there was a whole lot of giggling and carrying on over by the class corner. I have to share this shot of her and Mary Lou B as it I believe it truly sums up the mood at the store all day.

And in the midst of all this fun and frivolity, in marches the UPS guy and Fedex dude with boxes of new fabrics and of course I flip over these cute cowboy motifs!

Gee whiz! A girl can't catch her breath around here! Being from Texas has me wanting these too!

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Mona has sewn all the blocks together now for the Amish with a Twist BOM sample and is busy on the appliqued outer border. I'll post again when the whole quilt is complete.

Want a cute idea for using UFO blocks that seem to accumulate? How about this! A customer wore this in the shop a few months ago and I thought I'd share it with you.

Wear your badge of honor proudly! We're QUILTERS and we are an army of many!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Oh I hope you all had a very Happy and Safe New Years Eve. Can you believe it's 2012!

A LEAP year and an election year...... and a year of quilting up a storm. I know I am hitting it hard, fast and early this morning.

I have one of two Barbara Brackman Civil War quilts on the design board (which incidentally isn't large enough to accommodate all the blocks......) (I'm just saying...) and have it almost all together. I'll post a shot of it soon.

Up-date: here it is!

I started this project in January last as an attempt to rein in all my stash. Both of the tops are a "controlled" scrappy quilt and put a serious dent in my fabric collections but I still have a ways to go before I can call my pile "manageable". I'm working on it!

HOWEVER, Pearl has made it that much more difficult for me because she put 3 rows of fabulous bolts on the sale table as we closed out the year and you can see below how much is going to be available at $5.99 a yard when the doors open Tuesday morning.

Now if you look over to the far left side of the first photo, you'll see 3 large bins of fabrics. Stuff as much as you can up to the handle of our provided plastic bag and it's all yours for $7.99. We have batiks, Kaffe Fassett, Jinny Beyer, blenders, prints you name it. This is a great way to get small pieces for applique projects.

So, I guess you know where I'll be Tuesday morning!

In the meantime, I wonder if you know that the Dr. Seuss book, "the Lorax" is about to be released as an animated film? We have just received our long-anticipated shipment of the fabrics and you will not believe how soft the 'hand' is on them. The colors are brilliant and the selection is terrific. All of the bolts are made with organic cotton.

This quilt pattern, Speak for the Trees, is free from Robert Kaufman Fabrics

We have also finally received the focus fabric Peacock Panel from the Timeless Treasures collection, Plume. It is really really gorgeous.

Timeless Treasures is holding a "challenge" for this line and you can pick up the informational brochure at the shop.

Block of the Month!

Dancing with the Stars

Amish with the Twist

Blocks of the Month Sign Up is underway so if you are interested in joining in, drop by or give us a call and we'll be kitting up, ready to distribute Dancing with the Stars first month on February 1. Amish with a Twist will begin in March. As always, we do not charge a registration fee for joining.

I'd like to do something fun this year to showcase the quilts YOU make with fabrics you bought in Bright Hopes...... if you would like to add yours to the queue, please send a clear photo of the quilt, and yourself in the shot if you'd like!, and I'll add it the slideshow.

Let's make a bright and colorful 2012. Happy stitching...

Sprinting to the New Year!

Oh man, I can't believe how quickly this month is passing me by without posting!

Thanksgiving Day usually leaves me breathless as we enter the Holiday Month. This is the case as well at Bright Hopes where packages come pouring in with products that were ordered at Market and items that make good gift-giving.

But that doesn't mean we abandon quilt-making; oh no..... in fact, we have several new samples of patterns and fabrics that are so fresh, they are practically dewy!

Jane Sassaman has her new line out and Georgia was immediately inspired to make this Grand Central pattern. If you look closely, you'll see the center panel is one piece of fabric with spinning pinwheels and solid blocks surrounding the middle

Georgia is making a new one using the panel and softer "baby" yellow for the background so I'll post a follow-up post when I get the shot.

Paula Nadelstern's new kaleidoscope fabric is in and this is the "main feature". While at "Market" the gals found this fabulous ball made with the fabric and many pins and sequins.

Pearl is organizing another Demo Days nest month and Celeste will be demonstrating how this is made. We have so much to show & tell and it's great fun to be able to do a lot in short time-frame.

Here's a new item straight outta the box that arrived Thursday afternoon, Poke A Dots!

You've probably had your own issues with thimbles that don't fit well, or fall off or perhaps your favorite has finally worn it's own hole through. If this sounds familiar, you might want to check these little guys out. 18 to a box and made in the USA, these are sticky grippers that are reusable several times and are placed exactly where your "strike zone" is to give your fingers protection while stitching. And the tin is a great keeper for needles. By Jillily Studios.

As for me, what am I up to? I joined in the Farmer's Wife club here at the shop. I'm making mine out of my scrap-bag(s) of batiks (naturally) and will put a board up today showing some of the blocks from various fabric schemes that others are making.

We will host several free Sit n Sew's each month for anyone interesting in hanging out while making the squares. Our next meeting is Monday afternoon, Dec. 19.

Also, we got in a book by Cozy Quilt Designer, Strip Six, of six blocks using jellyroll strips (2.5" WOF) and background fabrics. I liked it and the information inside so much, I bought one

(I know I know! I swore I was going to finish the one's I started before I go off in another direction! But you know me....)

and am using my fruits and veggies left-over strips to make a sample for the shop.

(I figure like this... as long as I am using the stash, a new book doesn't hurt, right?)

It's fun to make complicated-looking patterns quickly.......

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Pearl put all the Christmas Fabric on SALE!!!

$6.99 a yard.

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Stonehenge Revisted

So, did you get a chance to attend the Event with Vic Dadika yesterday?

I sure hope you did..... but in the case of those unable to get here, I'd like to show just a touch of what we got to see first hand.

First, it was explained that Stonehenge, the fabric line from Linda Ludovico and Northcott, is the best-selling fabric in the United States and when you think that there are 81 fabric distributors all vying for our attention and money, that is no easy accomplishment.

However, by now you are probably well aware how beautiful the fabric is and how great it feels to work with and how well it blends with other designs.

But it was very interesting to hear how the designer came up with this concept, how it developed further and how far it's come in just two years.

We have had it in stock only since around the beginning of 2011 and carry a vast selection of bolts, collections, and recently received the 2.5" strips and now the "chips", the 5" squares. A package of these were given to each attendee along with a terrific trunk show of outstanding quilts. Here are just two:

Stoney River

Blueberry Hill

Now, these were my personal favorites and there were many more....

Northcott has a vast website offering pattern ideas for use with Stonehenge, some of which are free PDFs.... the two featured here are in stock now at Bright Hopes Quilting.

We lucky ladies sitting in got to see what was coming up in 2012 and I can't show n tell you. Yet. But there were plenty of excitable wimmen-folk and I only hope Pearl is able to order and receive enough of it to satisfy the masses.

Along with the pack I received, I purchased another and yardage of "Salt" Stonehenge and can't wait to get busy with it. I already know what I'm going to do... check back in a few weeks!

Things To Show, Things To Tell

Let's start with our 8 Anniversary Challenge: Here are three of the entries so far.

Bring in ANY 12.5" unfinished 8-Point star made entirely out of Batiks and be entered to win all. If we receive more than 12, we'll make another winner. The drawing will be held during our Anniversary Celebration at the end of September.

Friday, August 26, (that's Tomorrow!) Carolyn B is holding a class in this Color Work table runner. Look closely to see the waves..... break out of a rut of straight lines!

And Meliss made this stunning variation of Storm at Sea using those bold animal prints.

Very Nice!!!

Dresden Plate Meets LSU and More!

Janet Crosslin came in with 2 beautiful quilts I wanted to share with you... This one is an exquisite 3-D Dresden Plate in LSU colors (Geaux Tigers!)

..... and this lovely hand-appliqued sampler/ folk-art-like beauty done in the French General fabrics.....

Please click on either of them to get a closer look..... the quilting is outstanding!

We have been receiving new Halloween fabric this month and Carolyn
OOPS!!!

Sharon M made this cute 3-6-9 quilt with our array..... love the kitties hiding behind the pumpkins

Let Freedom Ring Fabric Panel

Here is that Let Freedom Ring panel I mentioned in our recent emailing....... It's by Wing and A Prayer and Timeless Treasures.

As you see, the panel includes the Pledge of Allegiance, the Preamble to the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, along with several labels and God Bless America center square...... enough to make some to keep and some to give!

Just What A Blog Is For!

If you are on our emailing list, you might be wondering what is going on with that! Long story short, AT & T has changed their processing of mailings so we are changing ours as well. As I learn more how to do this, I still make mistakes.

So where is it, you ask? Ah technology! I'll leave it at that as I sort out the final , ah.... issue. Linda Kay has fine-tuned our latest newsletter and class list (some great ones coming up!) so I am eager to get that sent out. I hope to have the email to you by Tuesday .....

.....but in the meantime, I'll fill you in on last week at Bright Hopes.

Candy Bergeron came by Thursday afternoon, as promised, to collect a stack of donation quilts and receiving blankets for the up-coming show in St. Gabriel.

I wrote a post about it last week and planned to attend myself. (Candy invited me to be a docent for an hour or so...... she trusts that I won't ankle off with any quilts! hahahaha) ("What does a docent do?" " Answers questions...." " I don't know if I know any answers." "......." She still wants me. ) So, May 7, St. Gabriel Community Center......... I'll be the one in white gloves looking like I know what I'm doing but don't.

Candy will be making a final pass through Mandeville on Thursday, May the 5th and Bright Hopes Quilting is a drop-off point so if you would like to donate any quilt to this cause, please have yours at the shop no later than Thursday morning and be sure to fill out the donation form to have the quilt given to the charity (on the list of 16) of your choice. This is a tax-deductible donation so if that is important to you and the IRS, don't forget to document that as well.

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We have received more Just One Star blocks and will be mailing the big package off Tuesday, April 26. It was SO COOL to open an envelope Thursday and find more stars arriving!!!! At this rate, we all will have made more than enough stars to complete 4 quilts! Ya'll are the BEST!

Thank you for participating in this project.

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Isn't This CUTE?

You know Pearl has a lovely little granddaughter.... look what she's getting! This little-girl sun cap is reversible and adorable and made by Pearl. I think the pattern is Blossoms and Bloomers..... and has a jumper as well.

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I was prowling around the shop and came across this bolt that has somehow escaped my detection until now. Beautiful dragonflies in an oriental feel. It glows off the black background.

Classes and Calendar ::::

Tuesday is Tote Club,

Thursday is Applique Society

Friday is 6 Halves Makes a Whole Starburst (continued)

Okay, be on the look-out for that elusive email and pray for me as I continue down the technology wormhole!

March Mayhem

We've been receiving so many parcels with new fabrics and patterns and I have fallen way behind with up-dating the blog to keep you abreast. Add to this our continuing email issues (yes, they have resurfaced....just when I thought we had that sorted out!) and now there is so much to tell. Let me get started first with fabrics.

Last month we got in the Jason Yenter "Camelot" line of fabrics. Now, I know it seems like we all just put Christmas away but this line definitely has a seasonal feel to it, notwithstanding the name. He also has a book of quilt patterns specifically designed to showcase the fabrics an we have cut kits for two of them, Guinevere and Lady of the Lake. Georgia is working on a sample for the shop and here is one square to show you how they come together.

They are gorgeous, richly intricate designs we have admired for several years now.

You know how I feel about batiks.......Pearl has been getting so many new and exciting bolts and I just keep collecting them...... may I live long enough to use them all.....


This pastel batik is an ombre that has a subtle wave of colors passing through it.

Ah, The Universe is here in the store...... have you been searching for fabric for a young boy that loves science?

Check out our planets and stars!

CLASSES

Jayne has been holding several classes and just finished this one for the Diamond Double...... here are a couple of the students and the project underway.

She is teaching another class next Tuesday, March 22 for the "Tote Club" making this popular "Tote It" pattern using that great mesh fabric. This large roomy tote is perfect for many things, like knitting projects or beach bags..... and Jayne has many so many, she has it down pat. If you'd like to join the class, there is still time to sign up. 985-845-9554.

Speaking of classes, X-Block Triple Play is next Thursday with Celeste.

Six Halves Makes a Whole Starburst

and now it's made two! Linda Kay has brought in her beautiful sample of this quilt (and class) using the William Morris fabrics and we have it hanging at the shop. Stop by to see it.

Here is a close-up of the center

"medallion".

This is the batik version, so you can really see a comparison......

The class begins next Friday and takes you through the cutting, the piecing, (yes, the ripping when something goes awry) and the completion of a really beautiful design.

This is a five-part class and a good one for someone who has taken the introductory class of quilting and wants to practice her skills. There are a lot of familiar half-squares and 9-patches and this quilt brings it altogether.