Sunrise Stars: Pattern

FINALLY!

Look it's my new pattern, Sunrise Stars! It's finally done and ready to download. Head over to my Craftsy site and maybe even drop it in your cart. 

The design for this pattern started as part of the 2016 Paintbrush Studios New Block Blog Hop inspired by their Ocean Sunrise palette of colors. Then it got scaled up to an 18 inch block. Bigger is better for this block. It packs more punch at the bigger size. 

Originally, this pattern started with a strong desire to avoid HST's. In the end I succumbed. There was too much waste otherwise. 

Good news for me, I got another whole quilt out of the "waste" from this one.

Bad news for me, I had to trim 200+ to get this other quilt. Joke's on me for trying to avoid them at all cost! More on that quilt later (promise!).

Good news for you, the new design has minimal waste! 

The test quilt started with a bundle of Kona Solids by Emily Cier, and got edited down to form a perfect rainbow color palette.

Lately I have been wanting to try a gradient/rainbow quilt.

The stars then got paired with some Essex Linen in Denim as an accent color. Then finished off with some straight line quilting to echo the X drawn from corner to corner.

The backing and binding is a large cut of fabric I picked up during our fall Shop Hop with the NHMQG. I believe the fabric is by Amy Butler. 

Either way, the floral colors matched perfectly with the solids on the front. Win for stash usage.

Net: - 16.5 yards YTD

2016: New Block Blog Hop with Paintbrush Studio

We are back at it, welcome to the 2106 New Block Blog Hop with Paintbrush Studio. If the name doesn't sound familiar they were formerly Fabri-Quilt and are currently rebranding.

If you are just coming here for the first time, my name is Chels. This year marks my third year blogging, and I love it. If you like it around here I invite you to join me on my blogging adventures! Links are in the sidebar.

Nothing is better to take us out of the darkness of winter like the Ocean Sunrise Palette sent to us by Paintbrush Studio. As I write the windows in the house are all open and the fresh air is blowing through. Ah, it's great.

Ok, onto the tutorial!

Ocean Sunrise Colors (L to R): Midnight, Daydream, White, Peach, Coral, Bordeaux

Sunrise Stars: Tutorial

MATERIALS & CUTTING:

• Center Color (Bordeaux): 4 - 2.5" x 4.5", 4 - 2.5" squares
• Secondary Color (Coral): 4 - 2.5" x 4.5", 2 - 3" squares
• Accent Color (Daydream): 2 - 2.5" x 4.5", 4 - 2. 5" squares
• Background (White):  4 - 2.5" x 4.5", 2 - 4"squares, 24 - 2.5" squares

**NOTES: all seams are sewn at a scant quarter inch and diagonals are sewn using the Frog Tape Trick. You can also draw the diagonal lines with pencil prior to sewing.
Abbreviations: RST = right sides together, HST = half square triangle

DIRECTIONS: 

MAKING THE PARTS

HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES:

Take the 2 - 4" squares in secondary color, and 2 - 4" squares of background. Creates 4 total.

FLYING GEESE:
Take the 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles in the center color, 8 - 2.5" squares in the background color.

Repeat the process to the 2 - accent color, and 4 - secondary 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles.  There should be 10 flying geese total.

SIDE SLANTS:

Take the 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" background rectangles, 4 - accent color 2.5" squares, and the 4 - center color 2.5" squares.

Do the same for the accent color being sure to follow the same direction of the slant. Two pieces should be slanting to the left and two to the right.

ASSEMBLING THE BLOCK

CORNERS:
Take the 4 flying geese in the secondary color, 4 HST, and remaining 4 - 2.5" background squares. Creates 4 parts.

SIDE SLANTS:
Take one of each left and right side slant.

CENTER STAR:
Take the 4 flying geese in the center color and 2 flying geese in the accent color.

FINISHED BLOCK:

Lay out block. Center star in the middle row, the corner blocks on each of the corners as shown with side slant pieces in the middle. Sew along either side to create 3 rows. Press open. Sew the rows together. Press open.

Admire the finished block! 

The block will finish at 12 inches square, unfinished 12.5 inches square. If you have any questions or need clarification on a part please feel free to email or leave a comment below. 

Stay tuned Thursday I am releasing a new pattern using this block scaled up to 18 inches.

Here is the list of other participants creating new blocks this week ...

MONDAY MARCH 28TH

Host: Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Jess @Quilty Habit, Silvia @A Stranger View, Cristy @Love You Sew, Kelly @Quilting It Out, Renee @Quilts of a Feather, Bernie @Needle and Foot, Terri Ann @Childlike Fascination, Chelsea @Patch the Giraffe, Mary @Quilting is in my Blood, Diana @Red Delicious Life, Sarah @123 Quilt

TUESDAY MARCH 29TH

Host: Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Kim @Leland Ave Studios; Andrea @The Sewing Fools; Cassandra @The (not so) Dramatic Life; Stephanie @Quilt’n Party; Irene @Patchwork and Pastry; Tish @Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland; Abby @Hashtag Quilt; Sarah @Smiles Too Loudly; Carrie @The Zen Quilter; Wanda @Wanda’s Life Sampler

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30TH

Host: Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Vicki @Orchid Owl Quilts; Shelly @The Carpenter’s Daughter Who Quilts; Amy @13 Spools; Geraldine @Living Water Quilter; Robyn @Hoops & Thimbles; Jan @The Colorful Fabriholic; Sharla @Thistle Thicket Studio; Jinger @Trials of a Newbie Quilter; Kathryn @Kupitis; Jane @Jolly and Delilah; Josi @Avocado Quilts; Deanna @Stitches Quilting; Lori @SewPsyched!; Jayne @Twiggy and Opal

New Project: Starlight in PB&J

Somedays I just crave something new. New motivation. New inspiration. New technique. New project. Today I am embracing new. 

Notice I neglected to say new fabric? 

For that I will applaud myself. I have been stashing a jelly roll of PB & J designed by Basic Grey and made by Moda. Along with some yardage cuts. So almost new fabric, it was plucked from my stash but I have never used any of the fabrics in this line. 

So new to me! 

Also, new pattern was missing from the newness. I bought the Starlight pattern from Thimble Blossoms years ago. Once again I have never used the pattern, so new to me.  Talk about a double win on the stash!

The pattern uses triangles to create a star pattern inside another star. It's pretty awesome check out what others have done on Instagram.

Coming Soon: New Block Hop

Next week is the 2016 New Block Blog Hop by Paintbrush Studio. Mark your calendars and schedule in time for the awesomeness coming your way.  Below is a list of who shares which day.

The last time around the block just happened for me. It was easy. Since last September, I have been sketching and stock piling ideas. Now I have too much happening in my brain. Things could be worse.

This week I will be putting the final touches on my tutorial post and finishing up some quilts for it's accompanying pattern. I must admit I am smitten with the color palette this time around.

I cannot wait to I can finally share! I've been busting at the seams not being able to tell you or share the process photos. Check back next week for block tutorial!

MONDAY MARCH 28TH
Host: Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Jess @Quilty Habit; Silvia @A Stranger View; Cristy @Love You Sew; Kelly @Quilting It Out; Renee @Quilts of a Feather; Bernie @Needle and Foot; Terri Ann @Childlike Fascination; Chelsea @Patch the Giraffe; Mary @Quilting is in my Blood; Diana @Red Delicious Life; Sarah @123 Quilt

TUESDAY MARCH 29TH

Host: Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Kim @Leland Ave Studios; Andrea @The Sewing Fools; Cassandra @The (not so) Dramatic Life; Stephanie @Quilt’n Party; Irene @Patchwork and Pastry; Tish @Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland; Abby @Hashtag Quilt; Sarah @Smiles Too Loudly; Carrie @The Zen Quilter; Wanda @Wanda’s Life Sampler

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30TH

Host: Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Vicki @Orchid Owl Quilts; Shelly @The Carpenter’s Daughter Who Quilts; Amy @13 Spools; Geraldine @Living Water Quilter; Robyn @Hoops & Thimbles; Jan @The Colorful Fabriholic; Sharla @Thistle Thicket Studio; Jinger @Trials of a Newbie Quilter; Kathryn @Kupitis; Jane @Jolly and Delilah; Josi @Avocado Quilts; Deanna @Stitches Quilting; Lori @SewPsyched!; Jayne @Twiggy and Opal

Catching Up

Tap, tap. Look who's back!  Just in time to say Happy Birthday Mom.

Ok, I will admit the break was everything I needed at this point in time. EVERYTHING. There is more sunlight in the day and more pep in my step.

Now I am recharged and ready. More like a ball of untamed creativity, which is both good and bad. 

Let's get you caught about my life these last couple weeks. Here is what has happened ...

Massdrop, some Modern L's gauze just happen to land in my cart. If only you could touch the screen and feel the softness. It's luxurious. Don't worry still at - 8.75 yards YTD.

Charity Blocks, NHMQG has two charity block collections this month. One is the Dutch Windmill Block by Red Delicious Life. If you are looking to learn how to paper piece this is a great starter block.

Penny Tiles, the progress is slow but I LOVE how it's coming out.

Rosa,  I think the top left picture pretty much sums it up. Although the bottom right is pretty funny.

Fabric, this little rainbow bundle is going to become my next pattern!

That is all to share for now.

Blogcation

Hello quilty friends. It's time for the first annual blogcation. Things around here are going to be radio silent for next few weeks. Pretty sure I did this last year, but it wasn't announced I just disappeared for a while. Put up a cartoon pulling it's hair out and disappeared again. 

So, first annual. 

The goal here is to take the time to recharge my quilting battery and revive my creative spark. This girl needs a break. 

I know, bummer.  Perle is just as upset about the news. 

I do have some cool things going on at end of the month. Like the 2016 New Block Blog Hop.  Plus a second pattern to follow. Pretty excited about that.

See you in a few short weeks!