I bought the pattern shortly after it came out and then set it aside. When we were having some remodeling done in 2013 and I was relegated to the upstairs, I decided to unearth the pattern and fabric I’d picked out earlier and started to sew. I made the signature block first (next time I’ll make it last), and worked on the baskets every single day while the crew was downstairs sawing, pounding and painting. It kept me sane. I’d been doing needle turn appliqué for a long time, but this is the first project that I made using laminated templates and vinyl overlays. I loved it!
I worked on Fresh Picked Posies long after the remodeling was done, in-between other projects and it was my pick up and go retreat project, which was great because I didn’t have to pack a sewing machine. I finally finished the top, had it quilted and showed the quilt last spring in the Quilter’s Anonymous quilt show in Seattle. That show got me connected with the Garden of Quilts people in Lehi UT, who invited me to teach. I taught… and Fresh Picked Posies, along with 3 of my other quilts, was hung in the Garden of Quilts show at Ashton Botanical Gardens.
Sue Lynch wrote to say “Love your designs so I will share my wonderful whimsical garden with you!” Thank you, Sue, for sharing your lovely quilt. The brown backgrounds always remind me of chocolate and who doesn’t love chocolate!
After The Quilter’s Practical Guide To Color was published, people asked me to teach a class on color. I’ve been teaching this class for about a year and, judging from student responses, it is one of my very best classes.
This is a no-sew class. Students come with 4″ squares of white paper and 4″ squares of fabric in a variety of colors and values. I begin with a mini-version of my color lecture and then show how I organize fabric for a project. Students organize their own fabric squares and then the fun begins!
I choose a block from The New Quick & Easy Block Tool and a color combo and everyone quickly mocks up 4 blocks. ‘Quickly’ is key. Thinking too much about color choices can stop a project from ever happening and it’s important to learn to trust your instincts.
Once glued, we put the blocks together on a table. They are flat and it’s hard to see a pattern, so I use my phone to take a photo. It’s always fun to hear the gasp as everyone sees the pattern emerge on the screen.
These photos are from a color class taught at Happiness Is… Quilting in McKinney, TX.
Grandmother’s Choice Block
Everyone is working from the fabric they brought and it’s a stretch to imagine using them together in a quilt, but it is surprising how well the blocks come together.
We change the layout and take more photos:
Grandmother’s Choice Block
Grandmother’s Choice Block
Grandmother’s Choice Block
Each individual knows what they like and what they don’t. We talk about why some colors/values/settings work better than others. My goal is to empower each student, to make color their friend and ally.
Here is the Homeward Bound block in complimentary reds and greens:
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It’s fun to put different blocks together, just to see what happens.
Grandmother’s Choice and Homeward Bound Block Combo
This was a 6-hour class, so there was time to mock up several blocks. As the day went on, everyone loosened up and color decisions come quicker and with more confidence.
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I love this class because quilters who begin the day nervous, leave knowing that color is their friend. Trust me when I tell you that color is your friend too!
PS: If you are a shop or guild and would like to have me come teach, email me. I’m usually booking about 2 years out.
This quilt began with a photograph of a road in Hanalei, Hawaii. If you’ve been there, you know the place. I used Photoshop to generate a drawing.
I made a placement overlay with the bones of the design. I didn’t use templates — I cut fabric by eye and built the quilt on my design wall.
Here it is, unquilted…
The quilting brings all the elements together; the quilting finishes the quilt.
I love this quilt, but Steve loves it more. It is hanging in our dining room on the wall he can see from his spot on the sofa. I suspect it’s going to stay on that wall for a long time.
I am giving a lecture at the Minnesota Quilters Show in Duluth in June and they have requested that I share stories about Piece O’ Cake. Here’s my question: what sort of stories would you want to hear?
I could tell you what I’ve thought of, but I’m more interested in hearing what you think. I appreciate in advance any suggestion you have. Thanks!
You’ve seen 007 before but he’s so much fun that I thought you might like seeing him again :-).
This is Lucy, who celebrated her 88th birthday on August 18 in my class at The Quilt Crossing in Boise. How cool is that!
The class worked on Pick-Up Sticks from The Quilter’s Practical Guide To Color, learning how to make this improv block the easy way. Everyone had a great time, especially Lucy!
Some of Lucy’s Piece O’ Cake applique quilts were hanging in the classroom and it was so much fun to have them there. This is her version of Spectacular Spring from Applique Delights (still available as a downloadable ebook).
And this is Lucy’s version of Thru Grandmother’s Window, our first block of the month. The patterns are available as downloadable ePatterns.
Lucy and I agreed that it’s good to have a goal and we both want to be quilting into our 100s. That’s an excellent goal, don’t you think?!
Piece O Cake Blog 