Beyond Neutrals- Book Tour

From the moment I got wind that John (aka Quilt Dad) was working on this book I could hardly contain my excitement for it's release. I knew it was going to be fabulous but really I had no idea. This book blew me away!

The whole idea of the book is to get you to look at fabrics in a different way and to use those fun, vibrant fabrics in places you would normally reserve for boring neutrals (white, grey, etc). John has designed 16 amazing quilts using colors and prints that make you say "Wow! I wish I'd thought of that!" 

One of those quilts is Fallen Timbers, pictured above. I'm the boring quilter that reserves prints and color for the blocks and uses white for sashing between blocks. I absolutely LOVE how John used a variety of prints, many light in color, for the main blocks and chose a gorgeous grass green for the sashing between. The overall look is stunning!

Another quilt that I LOVE in the book is Raven Rock. John didn't use any boring neurtals in this quilt. In fact there is no sashing, background, etc- it doesn't need it! The bold strips of fabric flow through the quilt with graphic movement. It's awesome! 

Let's not forget the cover model and show stopper- Pacific Crest! Those prints, in that layout, with the deep blue background is breathtaking. I'm hoping to make up my own version of this quilt some time soon. Guess what I've chosen as my fabrics!? (hint: see the first picture :)

This book should be in everyone's quilt book library. The patterns are fabulous and perfect for all quilters regardless of their level of expertise. My other favorite part of this book? The photography- it's stunning!

So, do you want to win an ebook of Beyond Neutral courtesy of Martingale?

Simply leave a comment telling me the fabric(s) you would use in your own Beyond Neutral quilt. I'll choose a winner and announce on Friday!

HAPPY SEWING!

August 25 -- Kick-off -- YOU ARE HERE!
August 27 -- The Stitch This! blog at Martingale Books
August 29 -- Sara Lawson at Sew Sweetness

September 2 -- Molli Sparkles
September 4 -- Angela Pingel at Cut to Pieces

September 10 -- Lynne Goldsworthy at Lily's Quilts

September 15 -- The Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Jabber
September 16 -- Julie Herman at Jaybird Quilts
September 17 -- Nick Ball at Quilts from the Attic
September 19 -- Amy Lobsiger at Mrs. Schmenkman Quilts

September 22 -- Emily Herrick at Crazy Old Ladies Quilts
September 23 -- Sarah Fielke at The Last Piece
September 24 -- Monica Solorio-Snow at the Happy Zombie
September 25 -- Scott Hansen at Blue Nickel Studios
September 26 -- Katy Jones at I'm a Ginger Monkey

MASSDROP- Geared for Guys

Are you still waiting around for your own copy of Geared for Guys? Look no further. I've partnered with Massdrop to offer my ebook at an amazing price!

What is Massdrop you ask?

Massdrop takes a group of people that each want to buy the same thing, combines their order, and places that order directly with the vendor. As a result, everybody in the group gets the large quantity price while only having to buy one. So....The bigger the group (the more people at order), the better price that everyone will get!)

This week their offering my ebook, Geared for Guys!

This book is an amazing deal and it's only getting better. With 8 quilt patterns and tips for making that guy quilt you can't pass this up. It's listed on Massdrop for only $15.99 but if 15 or more people purchase the price drops to $13.99. You can't beat it!

So what are you waiting for!? 

HAPPY SEWING!

Birthday weekend getaway!

 So a little over a week ago I celebrated another birthday. The hubs treated me to a weekend getaway to sunny St. George. On the agenda was a visit to Zion's National Park to conquer Angel's Landing. 

Just to preface- I am not an experienced hiker. I enjoy a leisurely hike through the woods, on a trail. Recently I mentioned to the hubs that I would like to do more hiking so he thought this would be fun. We have been to Zion's a couple of times and talked about the hike but my health wasn't great at the time and decided against it. I thought, on the brink of my 38th year that it would be a great time to do this hike.

This is us at the beginning with Angel's Landing behind us. See my smile? I was excited for this fun adventure. I had no idea what was ahead of me. :o)

It's sometimes difficult to tell scale in a picture. Even with the heads in the bottom of the picture it's difficult to tell just how tall this peak is.  

The hike starts off gradually and eventually leads into a series of switchbacks. If you've ever been to Disneyland or any amusement park you know how horrible those switchbacks in line can be. These weren't too different. I quickly became aware of how difficult this hike was going to be for me.

(If you look closely you can see people on the different ledges of the switchbacks)

Here is a look down at the trail from high atop the switchbacks. If this seems crazy to you, you haven't seen anything yet!

The weather was gorgeous as we started out. It definitely got warm, even hot as we were hiking but there was a cool breeze that came through to cool us as we continued on. 

After the first series of switchbacks we walked along a canyon for a bit. This was an easy trail that meandered along. It was a nice break from the steady climb we had just come from.

The views were spectacular!

I took this pic in the gift shop before our hike started. I thought it was a bit funny sounding. We have a lot of Walter's in our family. I giggled at the sticker having no idea what I was in for.

Walter's Wiggles is no joke! This is a series of 21 steep switchbacks. At this point in the hike i was struggling. I've talked about my health here on the blog before. It is nothing short of frustrating. I pushed myself but knew not to push too far. I had to take lots of breaks. The hubs was super supportive and never complained once.

We finally reached the Scout Lookout point. I knew there was more to come but wasn't really looking forward to it at this point. The hubs asked if I wanted to turn back but I figured I'd come this far, I might was well keep going. Anyway, I wanted to reach the top.

I took pictures of the signs before I packed up my camera for the rest of the hike. I know it's difficult to see on the screen my picture of a sign but basically the rest of the hike is along a sandstone ridge using chains to help along the way. 

There are warnings to those fearful of heights. You just don't mess around up here.

Luckily the forecast was great and we had no lightening strikes to worry about.

It was pretty crowded at different points on the trail. Sometimes we had to stop and wait for people to come down before we could continue up. I was grateful for those times to rest. My legs were tired and I used the chains to my advantage using my upper body to keep climbing. 

Here's a pic of the river and road below. And this wasn't even the highest point.

We would come to the end of a series of chains at the top of a ridge and I would be so excited thinking we were there. And then I would turn my head and see more people climbing and realize I wasn't there yet. I just wanted to be done!

This guy kept encouraging me and helping me along. There were so many little things he did that touched my heart. It may sound cheesy but I just kept thinking "He really loves me. He really cares" I didn't even need to ask for help, he was just there. If that was the only thing I learned on this hike it was enough. He carried the pack with all the water. Every time I saw an older person or even a young kid on the hike and said "See, even they can do it without trouble" he would remind me of what I've been through and the mountains I've already climbed, encouraging me to go on but supporting me if I didn't want to continue. He really is the best! 

We finally came to the last big haul. If it looks like it's almost straight up, that's because it is!

We rested for a moment while people came down including a young couple with an INFANT in front snuggly carrier. Seriously!? 

We finally made it!

I really wasn't very happy. I was glad to be at the top but I was so spent. I asked the hubs if he would call 911 and have them air lift me from the top. I was not looking forward to the climb down.

"Take my picture so I have proof I did this and let's get the heck off this mountain!"

It really was something up there to look around at the valley below; to look at all the sandstone mountains and the canyon; to think about our beautiful earth and God's wondrous creation. Moments like that are awe inspiring.

We trekked down pretty quickly. My legs felt like jello and my upper back ached from pulling myself up the chains. We scrambled down the rock and jogged a lot of the way down. I scoffed at people passing us when we were headed up but realized when I was going down that it was much easier to use the decline to my advantage. 

The 5.4 mile round trip took us about 5 hours. Only 1 1/2 hours of that was to come down. When we reached the bottom we headed straight for the drinking fountain to fill up with cool water.

I have to say, as miserable as it was, I do feel a great sense of accomplishment to have conquered Angel's Landing. And if asked if I'll ever do it again the answer is a firm and certain...

NO!

After a few days of resting sore muscles I'm happy to be back at my sewing machine :o)

HAPPY SEWING!

Aurifil Design Team Block of the Month- Pat Wys

Well it's September and in true Crazy Old Ladies fashion I am late again!

This month's designer is Pat Wys from Silver Thimble Quilt Co. 

This lady is something else! She is so talented and has her hands, or Quilts, in so many things. 

I had a fun time reading all about her on the Aurifil blog post. 

Don't you just LOVE the quilt in the collage up there? It's a stunner and can be found in her book 

And if you think that's great, she has a second volume out and a third on the way!

Check out her shop to purchase. 

Pat's block this month features 4 friendship star blocks, each representing a woman that inspires her.

To find out about these women and to get the instructions for the block visit the Aurifil blog

http://auribuzz.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/september-2014-designer-of-the-month/ 

Don't forget, Pat Sloan picks a winner each month to receive a box of Aurifil thread so make sure to 

enter by posting a picture of your block on the Flickr page!

HAPPY SEWING!