It's a ROAD RALLY! 100 Quilt Block Tour November 2017

Hi!  Sew glad you stopped by. 

I hope the traffic wasn't too bad.

Come on in and make yourself comfortable.

A cup of tea, perhaps?

I'm very excited to be part of Quiltmaker Magazine's 100 Quilt Blocks Volume 16 Road Rally Blog Tour.  My block, Tortoise Love, is Block #1540.

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Let me tell you a little bit about myself.  My name is Tricia Maloney and I'm a quilt designer, author, and teacher.  I've written three books and my designs have been published in many of your favorite quilt magazines.  I also teach at my local quilt shops here in lovely northwestern Pennsylvania and design/make quilts for fabric companies on occasion.

 One of my latest fun adventures is designing Rose Cards for Villa Rosa Designs.  Here are my first two designs.

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I had a lot of fun coming up with my Tortoise Love quilt block.  You'll have to keep reading to find out about my inspiration for this cute block.  I love that it is a multi-technique block featuring 4 pieced Drunkard's Path blocks and a little bit of applique for the head and tail.

I decided to play a little bit with my Tortoise Love block to see what I could come up with using my Electric Quilt 7 software.  (Did you know that EQ8 is out now?  I just found that out.)

Here's a fun throw quilt I'm calling "Tossed Tortoise."

Isn't this fun?  Can't you see yourself making this cutie for your favorite tortoise (or turtle) lover?  You could make the tortoises all the same fabric or even lots of different fabrics. The squares in the chain could all be different fabrics, too. This would be a great scrap-buster quilt.

I thought about playing around with a table runner design, but I wasn't sure that I would want tortoises on the table at dinner time.  LOL! 

So instead, I went totally crazy and came up with the following design, "Rainbow Tortoises."

What do you think of this one?  I'm not quite sure I love the rainbow tortoises concept, but I do like the movement that's created by the tortoises holding hands (or paws? or feet?).

But if you're not a tortoise lover, you might like this version instead:

Cool, huh?  Interesting shapes that connect add a lot of interest to this version of the design.  Here it is as a big bed quilt:

Isn't this version interesting?  By limiting the fabric choices, you get a bold unique repeating design.

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Okay, now let me tell you about the inspiration for this fun and versatile quilt block.

Meet Carl.

Isn't he just too cute for words????  Carl is a 2 year old African Sulcata tortoise.  When my niece, Morgan, adopted him, he was about the size of a toy car.  He's really grown.  Of course, he loves to eat.  Strawberries are one of his favorite treats.

He'll grow to be gigantic and will outlive Morgan, so she will have to make plans for his distant future.  But in the meantime, Carl loves to go on family vacations, walks, and meet new friends.

There's nothing better than a tortoise and his girl!

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NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

The Prizes:

1. One lucky winner will win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Quilt Blocks volume 16.  YAY!

        2.  Another winner will receive my first 2 Rose Card patterns and a mystery surprise.  WOW!

        3.  The final winner will win a copy of my new pattern, Basket Weave. SUPER DUPER!

And who knows?  I might add a few other prizes if I get lots of encouragement!!!!

 Here's how it works:

 You have up to 3 chances to win.  Lucky you!

1.  Leave a comment on this blog and tell me what you would name your pet tortoise if you had one.

2.  Become a blog follower and leave a comment on this blog telling me you that you're a blog follower.

3. Follow me on Instagram @tricia.maloney and leave a comment on this blog telling me you're an Instagram follower.

Ready!  Set!  GO!

You have from Monday, November 13th until Saturday, November 18th to participate. 

 Winners will be selected randomly on Sunday, November 19th.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS 

SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

And the Winner Is..................

Congratulations to 

Kathy in Lexington, KY!

You are the lucky winner of

a copy of my book, 

I Love Precut Quilts!  

I want to thank everyone for participating in my Quilt Book Giveaway!

National Sewing Month, Precuts, a new FREE Pattern, and a GIVEAWAY

As part of National Sewing Month this month, C&T authors are writing blog entries, doing tutorials, and offering free patterns!  YAY!  To see what other authors are up to on C&T's blog, click HERE.

Today, September 20th, is my day.  So you can hop on over to C&T and read my blog post about My Obsession with Precuts.

There are a lot of reasons to love precuts, aren't there?

Here are some of mine:

12)  Less waste than yardage. 
11)  Precuts are smaller than fabric bolts -- you can store more precuts in a smaller space.
10)  They are just like candy, but better -- no calories!
9)  Whether you actually use them or just decorate with them, they're pretty.
8)  There are sew many different types of precuts available -- there's a precut for every person and every project.
7)  When you're traveling, they pack well in suitcases and carry on bags (fat quarters roll up nicely in shoes).
6)  I've never met a precut that I didn't like.
5)  Books, patterns, rulers, and other tools.  OH MY! (Have you checked out my book, I Love Precut Quilts! yet?)
4)  Precuts make it easy to make controlled "scrappy" quilts.
3)  I can have a piece of fabric from each bolt in an entire collection and it doesn't break the bank.
2)  Precuts can be cut into other precuts (for example -- you can get four 2 1/2" squares from a 5" charm square or four 5" squares from a 10" Layer Cake square).
1)  Precuts are sew addicting!!!!!

I am happy to offer you a new FREE PATTERN in honor of National Sewing Month!  It's called Around Town and it is another companion quilt project from my book, I Love Precut Quilts!  On my Tutorials and Freebies website page, you will also find a couple tutorials and 2 other free companion projects for my book.

 Around Town

 NOW FOR THE NATIONAL SEWING MONTH GIVEAWAY

I will be giving away a copy of my latest book, I Love Precut Quilts!, to one lucky winner -- maybe it will be you!

Here's how it works:

You have up to 3 chances to win.

1.  Leave a comment and tell me why you love precuts.

2.  Become a blog follower and leave a comment telling me you that you're a blog follower.

3. Follow me on Instagram @tricia.maloney and leave a comment telling me you're an Instagram follower.

Ready!  Set!  GO!

You have from Wednesday, September 20th through Sunday, September 24th to participate.

 The winner will be selected randomly on Monday, September 25th.

You never know........I might be inspired to add more prizes along the way if I get lots of encouragement.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS 

SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

 

Quiltmaker Magazine 100 Quilt Blocks Volume 15 + Giveaway

Hello and Welcome to my Blog!

Today I discovered that the Quiltmaker Magazine 100 Quilt Blocks Volume 15 Blog Hop started on Monday and today -- Thursday -- is actually day 4.  Somehow, I missed the Blog Hop boat and I have no idea how that happened.  I emailed Quiltmaker today to find out what was going on, but they didn't reply....

I'm pretty disappointed that I did not get to participate because Blog Hops are SEW MUCH FUN.  I decided that I would do my own Blog Hop GIVEAWAY since I didn't get the opportunity to participate in the official blog hop.

So....WELCOME to my very own solo Blog Hop!

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My block is called CITY BLOCK and it is #1476, on page 48.

Isn't it fun?  I chose a selection of modern fabrics by Cotton+Steel.   This block uses 2 1/2" strips so you can use jelly roll strips, too.

Here it is, replacing the printed fabrics with solids.  Striking, isn't it?

Look what happens when I use a black solid background in my favorite red, black, grey (or white) colorway!  Isn't it really sharp?

Now that we've played around with the block a little bit, let's see what it looks like in a project.  Here's a very mellow beachy table runner design using 5 blocks.  

How about a couple of trendy place mats?

 

I hope you've enjoyed playing around with my block a little bit.  I hope you'll look for the magazine at your favorite quilt shop or newsstand.  

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BUT WAIT....................DON'T GO.....................THERE'S STILL MORE!  

KEEP READING......YOU'LL GET TO THE GIVEAWAYS SOON, I PROMISE!!!

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Ever since my new quilt book, I LOVE PRECUT QUILTS! came out, I definitely have precuts on my brain (oh no -- I hope it's not contagious!).  Just look at my City Block block (sorry about the repetition here......).  You can make this block from Jelly Roll strips, fat quarters, or even out of your stash.  Just about every quilt that I make now,  I find some way to incorporate precuts.  I'm even starting to challenge myself to make small projects out of my leftover precut bits and  pieces....

If you're new to my blog, let me tell you a little bit about my latest book.

 My book has 16 go-to projects ranging from place mats and table runners to wall quilts, throws, and YES! even big bed quilts.  The projects are easy enough for beginners but interesting enough for more advanced quilters, too.  It  has a fun fresh contemporary feel that is light and airy and all of the projects feature traditionally-pieced blocks.  

Here are some of projects from my book:

I'm really excited right now because I'm heading to Spring Quilt Market in St. Louis in 2 weeks for my book's official debut.  I will be participating in a Schoolhouse lecture and doing a book signing at the C&T Booth.  So if you're headed to Market, stop by -- I'd love to meet you and show you my new book.

Want your own copy??????

You can find my book (ebooks are also available!) at these locations online:

C&T Publishing

Amazon

Barnes and Noble 

 

I  also have SIGNED copies available on my website:

orphanquilter.com

(Psst!)  Don't forget to ask for it at your favorite quilt shop.

SURPRISE!  I'm also giving a copy of I Love Precut Quilts! away, see below. 

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NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY

 You've all been very patient, reading through my entire blog, so I promise that it'll be worth it!

I will be giving away the following:

  A  copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 15

 A copy of my latest book, I Love Precut Quilts!

Who knows?

 I might just add some more prizes along the way if I get lots and lots of encouragement.

(Wink!  Wink!)

Here's how it works:

You have up to 3 chances to win the prizes listed above.

1.  Leave a comment and tell me what inspires you as a quilter.

2.  Become a blog follower and leave a comment telling me you that you're a blog follower.

3. Follow me on Instagram @tricia.maloney and leave a comment telling me you're an Instagram follower.

Ready!  Set!  GO!

You have from Thursday, May 4th through Sunday, May 7th to participate.

 Winners will be selected randomly on Monday, May 8th.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS 

SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

 

I LOVE PRECUT QUILTS! BLOG HOP KICK OFF

Greetings!  

My name is Tricia Maloney and I'm the author of the new C&T book, I Love Precut Quilts!  I'm here today to invite you to come along with me on a super fun quilt blog hop to celebrate my new book from January 30th - February 3rd.

WHAT'S A BLOG HOP?

A blog hop is a group of bloggers who are all writing about the same topic -- in this case, my new book.  Each blogger is assigned a day during the hop and decides what he/she will write about. For example, some bloggers might decide to create projects from my book to share with you, while others might do a book review, or even an author interview.  Blog hops generally run for a specific number of days and often include fun giveaways.  This blog hop runs from January 30th - February 3rd and you will be able to register at each blogger's blog to win a copy of I Love Precut Quilts! (international winners will receive an ebook copy of the book).

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

Below, you will find the I Love Precut Quilts! blog hop schedule along with links to all of the bloggers who are involved with the hop.

All you have to do is click the links each day to go to the featured bloggers. Once there, read the blogger's post and follow the instructions to register for the giveaway.  It's that simple to get in on the fun!

BLOG HOP SCHEDULE

Monday, January 30th

            C&T Publishing

            Quilt With a View 

Tuesday, January 31st

             Mark Lipinski's Blog 

             The Crafty Quilter

             Beaquilter  

Wednesday, February 1st

                Upstairs Hobby Room 

                Camelot Fabrics 

                Cheryl'sTeapots2Quilting  

Thursday, February 2nd

                Am I Shouting Yet? 

                Needle and Foot  

                Generation Q Magazine   

Friday, February 3rd

                Quilt With a View

NOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW THE BLOG HOP WORKS, LET ME TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY BOOK

I Love Precut Quilts! is a fresh collection of 16+ beginner-friendly and intermediate quilts ranging from table runners and place mats all the way up to big bed quilts.  ALL of the projects feature precut fabric bundles -- fat quarters, charm squares, jelly rolls, layer cakes, and even half yards which makes fabric selection a snap!  You can even use your stash or scrap collection because each quilt project includes a detailed shopping list with the number of squares or strips needed to make the quilt.

Here are a few of the projects featured in the book:

I'll share more about I Love Precut Quilts!  on Friday, February 3rd on my blog, Quilt With a View.

Until then, please use the links in the blog hop schedule, above, to participate in the I Love Precut Quilts! blog hop.  Good Luck -- hope you win!

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY

Today you can win a copy of my new book,  I Love Precut Quilts!
Stop back here on Friday, February 3rd for more prizes.

  

Here's how it works:

You have up to 3 chances to win.

1.  Leave a comment and tell me what your favorite precut is.  

2.  Become a blog follower and leave a comment telling me you that you're a blog follower.

3. Follow me on Instagram @tricia.maloney and leave a comment telling me you're an Instagram follower.

Ready!  Set!  GO!

You have from Monday, January 30th until Saturday, February 4th to participate. 

 Winners will be selected randomly on Sunday, February 5th.
Please note that international winners will receive an ebook version of my book.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS 

SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!

Let the Blog Hop Begin!

Be here on Monday, January 30th to join in the fun for my book blog hop!  

Hope to see you here!!!!

QUILT BLOG HOP JANUARY 30TH - FEB 3RD

 Are you ready for a BLOG HOP?  

I'm hosting a Blog Hop for my new quilt book, 

I Love Precut Quilts!

 January 30th - February 3rd

Here's How it Works:

 

Each day during the week of January 30th through February 3rd, there will be bloggers blogging about my new book.  They might be showing you a project they made, reviewing the book, hosting an author interview, or whatever else the bloggers can dream up!  

Mark your calendars!  

Join us for some fun and great giveaways!!!!!

Stop back soon for the Blog Hop schedule.

 

Quiltmaker's 100 Quilt Block Volume 14 BLOG TOUR

Hello and Welcome to my Blog!

YAY!  I'm sew excited to be participating in the Volume 14 Blog Tour -- it's like a quilt party with all my friends -- both old AND new.

My block is called SLIDER and is #1383 in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 14.

A lot of people ask me how I come up with my designs.  Let me tell you that it definitely isn't rocket science.  LOL!  I like to start with something familiar like a favorite block, an inspiration piece of fabric, or maybe even an idea.  Then I usually sit down in front of my computer to use my Electric Quilt 7 software.  Do you EQ?  If not, then I really suggest that you try it out because it can take your quilting and designing to new levels. 

When I started playing around with ideas for the 100 Block project, I first decided that I wanted to use red, black, grey, and white fabrics in the block.  That made me determine that my block had to have enough pieces so that I could use 4 fabrics.

 

This was my first block attempt.  Ugh.  Pretty ugly, isn't it? 

 I was trying out some asymmetrical qualities here.

Oh well.  Back to the drawing board.

This was my second try.  Hmm.  Much better, I think.  But too busy.
Maybe I should reduce the number of pieces in the block.

This thinking led me to the actual Slider block that I submitted.

Voila!  There you have it!  A peek inside my design process.

Now let's play with the Slider block a little bit.

 Five blocks and a border makes a fun table runner, doesn't it?

Maybe we should add some printed fabrics instead of just solids?

Here it is in Moda's For You fabrics.

 

 

Now let's try it in Riley Blake's new Crayola fabrics.  Fun and cute!

Here we have fabric from Benartex's Kitchen Love line.  Yum yum yummy!

That was fun, wasn't it? 

Auditioning blocks, layouts, and fabrics is all part of the quilt design process. 

 Thanks for coming along for the ride.

BUT WAIT....................DON'T GO.....................THERE'S STILL MORE!  

KEEP READING......YOU'LL GET TO THE GIVEAWAYS SOON, I PROMISE!!!

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LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY NEW BOOK --

IT'S LITERALLY JUST HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!

I'm really really hyped about my third and newest quilt book. 

 I mean, who doesn't love precuts, right?

If you're anything like me, you buy them but never seem to use them.  Yes, I am guilty of precut hoarding and I keep adding more to my sagging shelves.
What about you?

That's where my new book, I Love Precut Quilts! , comes in.  My book has 16 go-to projects ranging from place mats and table runners to wall quilts, throws, and YES! even big bed quilts.

The projects are easy enough for beginners but interesting enough for more advanced quilters, too.   It  has a fun fresh contemporary feel that is light and airy and all of the projects feature traditionally-pieced blocks.  

Time to get your own copy, isn't it?????

Sew.....where can you find my new book?  

Well, read to the bottom to the Giveaway section and you just might win
your very own SIGNED copy.  

You can also find my book (ebooks are also available!) at these locations online:

C&T Publishing

Amazon

Barnes and Noble 

AND it's coming to your local quilt shop soon 

(Psst!  Don't forget to ask your favorite quilt shop owner to order it). 

I will also have copies available soon on my website:

orphanquilter.com

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NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY

 You've all been very patient, reading through my entire blog, so I promise that it'll be worth it!

I will be giving away the following:

1.  A copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 14

2.  A copy of my new book, I Love Precut Quilts! (Yippee!)

3.  A  Riley Blake Crayola 2 1/2'' strip roll

4.  A Mystery Prize donated by my local quilt shop owner, Gail, who owns Homespun Treasures.

Who knows?

 I might just add some more prizes along the way if I get
lots and lots of encouragement.

(Wink!  Wink!)

Here's how it works:

You have up to 3 chances to win the prizes listed above.

1.  Leave a comment and tell me what your favorite precut is.  

2.  Become a blog follower and leave a comment telling me you that you're a blog follower.

3. Follow me on Instagram @tricia.maloney and leave a comment telling me you're an Instagram follower.

Ready!  Set!  GO!

You have from Tuesday, November 15th until Saturday, November 19th to participate. 

 Winners will be selected randomly on Saturday, November 19th.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS 

SO THAT I CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU WIN!