Tuesday and Wednesday my guild had Debbie Maddy do two workshops and a trunk show. She brought seven suitcases full of quilts! Wow! I suspect every quilt I’ve ever made could have fit in juast one of those suitcases. Most of her patterns use her method for making diamonds with no “Y” seams. This lets even beginners make striking quilts and they go together quickly.
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to take her Cosmic Jewels workshop. She was very informative, and I loved her Texan accent! I don’t do a lot of piecing, so I enjoyed picking up a few tips from her. She spoke about organizing the fabrics for her pattern and we had class discussion moving them around. She also gave a great tip about using regular fine sandpaper to hold your fabric in place when you need to draw on it. The Cosmic Jewels pattern we were using used half square triangles, so we used a quick method for making those.
Needless to say, I couldn’t just follow instructions and keep it simple. I thought I had a “brilliant” idea. I had lots of 5″ charm squares that I thought I could use. I asked her first, just to make sure it was okay with her, and it was. But, that meant I had to modify the instructions somewhat since her pattern only calls for eight fabrics plus a background. I actually enjoyed the extra challenge and I definitely was happy with the results. I’m making this into a wall hanging for our dining room.
Now for the fun part — my first ever giveaway! I have a brand new Cosmic Jewels pattern to give away!
I hate jumping through hoops to enter other giveaways, so I’ll make it easy for you. Just leave a comment below, and I’ll do a drawing at the end of this weekend. I’ll announce a winner on Monday morning. If you want to become a follower of this blog, it’s in the left hand column, but that’s not required. If you want to “like” me on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/MariaElkins, that’s optional too. Enjoy!
Love your blog and website! It’s fun seeing what you’re working on and I love your “blue” rendition of the workshop quilt!
nice to see you go outside the box maria, always worth it!!!
Love your review of Debby Maddy’s workshop – and the talk was excellent. Turns out several of the ladies on the yahoo group I belong to know her and have used her patterns many times….small world.
I enjoy seeing your projects here. It is great that you are able to individualize a pattern to fit your vision. I am usually a strict follower of patterns, but you inspire me to think beyond the general instructions.
Very striking pattern – Cosmic Jewels. Where was your class with Debbie Maddy? See you on the 27th!!
In Dayton through the Miami Valley Quilter’s Guild.
You have the best eye for color. Thank you for not making us jump hoops.
I just saw this made up at the LQS and loved it. It’s sweet of you to make entering so easy. Thanks!
Read about this on the Quiltart Yahoo list. Nice pattern and i like your color choices.
maggie
Hmmm-might have left my original comment in the wrong place. Danged smart phones!
Please enter me in the giveaway.
Love the blues…and that method of piecing makes things go very quickly.
Maria,
Thanks for sharing such a detailed look at a workshop and process. I truly enjoyed seeing you move to a new level with your blues…a great project is under way there.
Looks like a great way to do ‘star’ quilts. Wish I had known about beofre I started the one I’m doing now – with y seams. Takes soooo long to do.
You know I am a BIG fan of yours… this is a very beautiful quilt…
Nice to hear that your teacher was open to you doing it your way, Maria. Glad it worked out for you and that you are happy with it. I often do the same, but quietly do my own thing without bothering the teacher. If she notices on her own and shows approval, great. Otherwise, the teacher should have no complaints if I’m quiet about it and the rest of the class doesn’t notice. But, it’s nice you asked her first if it’s OK with her!
Nice picture of Debby and her quilt. Love your blog, too.
I love what you did with the charms. Your quilt reminds me of a quilt I made for my mother many years ago. I’d love to make the pattern in batiks. Thank you for having the drawing.
Susan
It’s always nice when a teacher is open to someone’s else’s vision.
I love to hear that the teacher I most want to take a class with, is still taking classes herself! I never want to get so complacent that I think I have nothing to learn! Thanks for the no hoops giveaway!
Thanks, Sandie! Hope to have you in a class sometime 🙂
Love your blog and can’t wait to see pics of the finished quilt in blue. Sounds like a fun workshop.
I love what you did with the charms, your quilt’s awesome!!!
It’s a good pattern and even more interesting with your collection of blues. Good thinking to come up with a great quilt!!
Thanks for the giveaway! Looks like a great quilt.
Hola, Maria, como estas? Gracias por el chance.
I knew it was yours when I saw the BLUE!! I love watching what you do on your blog. Thanks! Beth
What a great quilt! love the blues 🙂 and love the pattern. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Maria, I always love your work. You are truly a talented jack-of-all-trades! Thanks for sharing! Mary Ann in GA
This is a beautiful pattern, will make up some awesome quilts.
Beautiful. I hope I win and then I hope you tell me what fabric you used so I can copy, that is awesomely beautiful.
Jeanne, when the question of what fabric to use comes up, the answer is always blue! (grin)
I am a new follower of your blog. My pleaseure
I like you on FB. Thanks for this opportunity to win!
I also have some charm squares – thank you for the idea! Please enter me on your drawing list
Like to know as many techniques for taking the difficulty out of cutting and piecing as I can. If you pick my name for the pattern I would be very happy to receive it.
What a cool pattern, isn’t it nice sometimes to do traditional work. And scrappi-er is almost aways better-er.
Thanks.
Sandra in Moab, Utah
from QuiltArt
Loves the idea you sharing here. Thanks for this opportunity to win!
love the pattern, and your square is great