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JUNE 2012 CAROL DOAK NEWSLETTER
Now that Memorial Day has past (for our US friends), the summer officially begins. Our world is full of color and beautiful flowers. When one of the members of the Carol Doak Quilting Group uploaded her Love and Home blocks, I simply loved them. Nicky from California spelled out the words using the 300 Paper-Pieced Quilt Blocks book and then placed a block above the words. It never ceases to amaze me how creative quilters are.
I have been busy this month creating some new CD's for the web store. I went back and created a of compilation of designs that I had previously designed. I also have been working on some new Free Patterns and have begun a new Mystery Block of the Month for the Carol Doak Quilting Group.
I have lots to share, so let me get started.
The Web Store<--Click here to visit
Simply Radiant Block of the Month CD
I created this Simply Radiant block of the month for the Carol Doak Quilting group in 2010. There are 12 different, monthly blocks, each finishing 12" and the connector block design that permits your eye to move diagonally across the quilt. The center portion finishes 60" square but it can easily be increased in size by adding your borders. All of the block designs are paper pieced ensuring success. Make it a month at a time or whip it up all at once. The CD is the pdf format so it is easy for everyone to use. The quilt featured in the picture was made by Mary Dorchak. Mary used a group of coordinating fabrics, but this is also an opportunity to work it in scraps, batiks or any combination that pleases you.
Scenic Scrap Block of the Month CD
This is such a fun little quilt to make. Each block finishes 7" square and is set on point featuring scrap fabrics. The detail in each block reflects the month it represents. Some examples are the snow in January, Red, White and Blue in February, the mountains in March, flowers in May, sailing ship in July and the beach in August. If you put the blocks together 3 across and 4 down with a border, the quilt finishes 28" x 35". It is just the perfect size for a gift or to brighten a room. The CD is the pdf format so it is easy for everyone to use. The patterns are full size and include cutting lists for each month so all the work has been done. Just print out the foundations and gather your scraps.
I offered this pattern to the Carol Doak Quilting Group as a block of the Month several years ago and many members added their own twist to the completed quilt. The quilt on the left was made by one of our members and I loved the detail she created with the sashing and thought you might like to see it again.
Both of these new CDs are on sale with an Introductory Price right now.
Book of the Month
It has been awhile since I put the Mariner`s Compass Stars book on sale, so I have selected it as the June Book of the Month and placed it on sale for the month of June.
I recently described this book to someone as just like the 50 Fabulous Paper-Pieced Stars, just faster since the blocks have few pieces. It also comes with the wonderful Foundation Factory CD to print the foundations in any size you like. The blocks at the right were made by a student and she used lots of bright scrappy fabrics to create a really modern look for her Mariner`s Compass Stars.
The thing is, the long sharp points provide the drama of a Mariner`s Compass, but not having to deal with curved piecing make these so easy. You can create the illusion of a curved edge by bordering the blocks in the same background fabric and using quilting to create circles.
Each of the blocks is named for a country or area of the world. Take advantage of the on sale price this month to add this book to your library.
New Free Pattern:
With Father`s Day coming up, thought I would design another block to use inside the Carol Doak Keepsake Cards. This block says it like it is, DAD. I used scraps to make the letters colorful. The paper-pieced letters are quick and easy to make. Simply cut the number of scrap and white fabric pieces and go for it. The finished square size is 3" and is perfect for inside the the Carol Doak Keepsake Card. Add your personal message to your Dad and this will surely be a keepsake for him for years to come. I made this in about an hour from start to finish.
The Carol Doak Quilting Group<---Click here
What can I say? The group is approaching 8,000 members and we have just started a Mystery BOM. Nancy B of Indiana made the lovely May BOM on the left. We are getting great participation. I have designed the quilt as a two-color quilt but many members are choosing scrap or a variety of color combinations for their quilts. Right now we have 160 members who have made their May block and are anxiously awaiting the June block. I designed this quilt to be on the simple side to encourate lots of new paper piecers to join in and it seems to be working. Yeah!!!
If you want to join in the fun, please do. Just click above! I'll see you there.
PS....When we hit 8,000 members, I design yet another block for the group!
On the Road Again...
I am staying put through most of the summer. I will travel to Australia to teach at the Quilting in the Highlands in July and I am so looking forward to returning to Australia to teach.
And, they have just released the information about my classes at Asilomar in May 2013. I have always been booked so far out that I have never had the dates open when asked to teach. Now, I will be able to teach there next year! Yeah. If you want to know more, just click here.
Until next time, stay happy!
Carol