Alphabetical Progress and a Lot of Summer Reading
Plus - beautiful dogs! ❤️ 🐶 ❤️
I made some new samples for the ABC quilt!
My color palette for this one is to use Animal Kingdom blenders appliqued onto Farmers Market background blocks in light and medium shades. For any animals not covered by the Animal Kingdom blenders (like the alligator, the iguana, and the cow’s nose) I’m using Farmers Market blenders so they work well with those background blocks.
Last week I shared my status so far. This week I added the alligator, cow, elephant, hippo, and iguana. They were easy peasy because they already had SVG files and light box instructions, so I just needed to make new samples. No step-by-step photos or videos needed - which made them almost shockingly easy and fun to do. 😂
(It’s so unusual for me to make anything without also documenting HOW to make it.)
Next up will be a little more work involved. I still haven’t decided what I’m doing for J, so I’m skipping that space for now. Instead of a kangaroo for K, I’ve decided to do a koala. I LOVE the Kevin Koala design, but it needs an SVG file, light box instructions, and some optional eyelashes - which all means basically redrawing and rewriting the entire pattern.
And then we get to L. I have two lion patterns to choose from and I like them both. Which do you think I should use?
Both of them will require a rewrite.
Liam Lion is the older pattern and needs an SVG file and light box instructions.
I want to rework the Lucien Lion pattern a bit (by making the mane optional and offering a more slender body option) to make it work for any narrow-faced big cat - like leopards, jaguars and panthers. And if I also offer a pointier ear option it would work for cougars and pumas too!
So, with all that said. . .
I’m always so curious to see how you all vote!
It’s hot as blazes here in Portland, so I’m staying home and reading a bit more than usual. I read four books last week! You can get all the details in the summer reading chat thread, but the one I think this group would like most is The Marlow Murder Club - a group of three sidelined women who solve a murder together in the small town of Marlow, England.
It’s the first book in a series written by Robert Thorogood, who created the show Death in Paradise - which I thoroughly enjoyed! (I still need to watch Beyond Paradise, especially since it features my favorite Death in Paradise detective.)
The main character in The Marlow Murder Club is 77 years old, so I was able to use this one for “Main Character Older than You” in my Summer Reading Bingo Board. 😁
Awesomeness from the Shiny Happy People group!
Look at the gorgeous quilt that Diane made! She used the Lovable Mutts AND the More Playful Puppies pattern and added a colorful frame around each block. I’m especially in love with that daisy dog!!!
Head over to the Shiny Happy People group on Facebook to see lots more wonderfulness people are making with my patterns—and to ask questions and share photos of your own projects. It’s my favorite place on the internet!
The archives and sale now have their own newsletter every Friday. Last week this quilting tutorial and this pattern (especially designed to be easy enough for kids to sew) were tied for the most clicks.
If you know someone who’d like to read this newsletter, please share! 🥰
Happy stitching!
I hope you have a fabulous week!
Best,
Wendi
🥰
PS - I know these sinks and countertops aren’t real, but I reallyreallyreally wish they were. They’re just lovely!!!
In your alphabet quilt, why don't you combine the rabbit block with the antlers from the buck and (Tada) you have a Jackalope!!
What about J for jackrabbit, "is a common hare of the Western United states and Mexico".
I love hares they are beautiful creatures.