October Love SALE : :

To celebrate October, the month I love the most, and because my Rock 'N Romance Skull Quilt is one of our very favorites, from now through October I'm offering the pattern for just $5 in my Etsy shop!



The pattern makes a generous throw size quilt measuring 62" x 84", comes with fabric requirements, cutting instructions, half square triangle (HST) & layout diagrams, plus finishing fabric requirements. I love the size! And because it's made using just square cuts of fabric and HST's, it's easy enough for a beginner!





I used Pat Bravo's Rock 'N Romance collection for AGF to create my version. If you'd like to use the same, I found many prints still available here! The combination of bright pinks & purples with all the gray & black was a perfect choice for me, but other's have made it using just grays & black with lots of low volume prints to gift to the special man in their lives and I love those versions just as much!

To get 50% off the pattern, just click on the image below and use Coupon Code: OCTOBERLOVE at checkout!



Thanks for stopping by today & a BIG thanks to all who purchase!! XOXO Maureen

A Diamond Strings Quilt : :

My Rock 'n Romance Diamond Strings Quilt As You Go quilt is finished! We made several stops on our drive and around town to get these photos to share here today. Yesterday turned out to be such a beautiful day, with the sun shining bright but always changing, casting sunbeams, spots, and shadows on so many of my pictures. In the end I think this is just one of those quilts that's beauty shows best in person, but I tried my best!



This is the second quilt I've made using Pat Bravo's Rock 'n Romance fabric collection. The first was made for Pat to use in her  R 'n R promotional ads & video, and was quilted by the amazing Angela Walters. I haven't seen it finished, in person, but I do remember watching this fun video by Fat Quarter Shop from quilt market and then the shock that followed after hearing my name mentioned! If you watch it be sure to notice all that beautiful quilting!!

Well, after having my skull quilt featured in such a special way, I've been waiting for the perfect quilt idea to strike, one worthy to use up the rest of my R 'n R stash. Then a couple weeks ago while deciding which fabrics to use for my niece Ceci's quilt I kept going back to my stack of Rock 'n Romance and eventually sketched out my new quilt idea.

The rectangle blocks are made using the same technique I'll be sharing in my next tutorial -- combining cotton batting as my foundation and quilt as you go. Once squared up, the large rectangle blocks measure  10" x 18" and the blocks made with both strings and Pure Element solids measure 10" x 14." 





I wanted to create an ombre color-blocking effect using both pink & purple solids at the top and bottom of this quilt, and I love the end result! It made it difficult deciding which edge should be the top, just for picture taking sake, but it doesn't really matter with this pattern. Any way goes!

It's bound using AGF's newest blender, Squared Elements in both Fuchsia and Watermelon. From my Tula Pink Aurifil collection, I pulled a 40wt variegated thread that matches my binding fabric choice perfectly!



Here you can see the pretty decorative stitches I added using several more colors of Aurifil, along with a few of the built-in stitches my Janome offers. I love those special details!





I can't wait to give this quilt to Ceci! Now that this one is finished and Sylvia's Tule Sunset is on it's way to Sew Shabby Quilting, I have just four quilts left to make before Christmas! A "Princess Castle" quilt for Josie, a Superhero quilt for Ben, one for my oldest niece Kiele, and one for my Kaiden who has such grand ideas his quilt alone could take me as long as it's taken me to make the seven I'm considering finished. But I'm excited for the challenge!

This promise to make my children, nieces, & nephews all a quit this year has bettered me in so many ways. It truly is amazing!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today -- Have a great day!!  ♥  Maureen

A New QAYG : :

In my last post I shared that I had a new quilt-as-you-go idea that came to me while making my Rock 'n Romance QAYG string quilt blocks using batting as my foundation. These blocks square up to 10" x 18", which works great for the diamond pattern I'm creating for this quilt pattern! 



But I had asked myself, "what if I just keep going to make extra long quilt-as-you-go string quilt blocks?" That could make one gorgeous herringbone, chevron-y style quilt. And, fast! Well, that image was definitely worth pursuing! 

So beginning this past weekend and here & there throughout these past couple of days I've been cutting a 2.5" strip or two from each fabric in my Anna Maria Horner stash. 



So far I have just two, very long string qayg strips sewn together. It's colorful, scrappy, and fun! I love it!!


What do you think?   ♥  Maureen

Quilt Top Peek : :

My Rock 'n Romance String Quilt As You Go quilt top is finished and I am loving it! I had to pop in to share a quick peek! My backing and binding fabrics should be here this week -- I can't wait to see this one finished!

Have a great day!!  ♥  Maureen

New : :

Oh, what a weekend! Welcoming into the world an adorable new niece, Grace Anne, totally trumped everything else that happened these past few, very busy days! She is SO cute, you can see for yourself right here! She's the little one I made the ABC Quilt for and now I'm thinking some sweet pillows to match are a must do. I was so excited after receiving the news that she was finally here, that I stayed up super late Saturday night beginning yet another new quilt!

I mentioned a little more than a week ago that this particular corner of my Butterfly Quilt had me wanting to work with Pat Bravo's Rock 'n Romance collection once again. Isn't it pretty?



So, this lovely stack had been sitting out since then and when I couldn't sleep I decided to cut just three or four 1" to 2.5" strips from each of the prints.



I pulled out my Pure Element stash, beginning with those solids I had loved seeing together in my Butterfly Quilt, and added to that collection several more PE's that coordnated nicely. I love these colors together -- so warm & beautiful!



This quilt is being made with my niece Ceci in mind, who loves music, singing, & dance. This palette could be a little too dark for her? I guess I'll see as it comes together and I share glimpses with her. I definitely want to be sure she's happy with it. More than anything, that's my goal here with each of these kiddo quilts -- I really want them to LOVE them!



I'm making this one as a quilt as you go, using my batting as the foundation for my strip piecing. It's been a really fun project that's been tough to walk away from once my sewing time is up. I love the way it's coming together!! So if it happens that this quilt is just not the right choice for Ceci well then I'll just have to keep it for myself!



How about you, did you start anything new this weekend?

♥  Maureen

My Own Tutorial Makings : :

I have been so touched and overwhelmed by all the wonderful comments I have been getting here lately! Thank you all so, so much for that!! It's been a busy several days, sharing two tutorials, giveaways, my post from last week, and trying my best to respond to everyone. If you didn't receive a response via email, then it's likely you are a no-reply commenter. In that case, I try my best to respond within the comments. Thanks again!

For the Rock N' Romance Giveaway, I asked for you to share your favorite print in the collection. Today, I'm ready to share mine!

Femme Metale in Chrome! Of course, I couldn't think of a better way to show my love for this print than to make myself a special pair of Shoelaces!



If you've made your own fabric shoelaces this week, or if you plan to, pretty please join and share in my new Flickr Group! I can't wait to see and be able to share what you make here on my blog! I'm planning to do a monthly show & tell!

I recently used my last Fat Quarter Gang Tutorial for a pair of Quilted Pillow Shams, to make a set to donate for a local charity event that happened this past weekend. Wanting something gender neutral, I chose a few prints from Bari J's brand new collection, Splendor 1920.



Art Gallery has me changing my mind each time they release a new collection as to what to use for decorating our new bedroom! This Splendor Collection comes in two colorways -- one perfectly feminine and so me! The other, perfectly masculine and so Mr. Cracknell! How fun would it be to have a quilt for our bed with one half the colorway for "her side" and the other half the colorway for "his side"?! See....the ideas never stop coming!! I'm certain at this rate we'll end up with a very eclectic room!

I definitely plan to make several more sets of these pillow shams! Maybe they will be the items that brings "it all together?!



I did end up taking out the dark aqua/teal shade and replaced with with a Navy Pure Element. I'm loving that triangle-diamond print, Nouveau Geo in Blue. LOVE it!!



These quilted pillow shams whip-up so quickly. I'm thinking they might make some nice Christmas gifts this year!



They even coordinated well with my wrapping supplies!



I'm off to make more progress on my qayg quilt blocks and birthday crown orders! But first I have an R n' R Giveaway winner to announce!! I'll update that post with the lucky commenter. Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a new Sponsor Fabric Giveaway with The Intrepid Thread! And to all attending this year's Sewing Summit -- I wish you safe travels and the most wonderful time!!!  ♥,  Maureen 

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A Scrappy Patchwork Shoelace Tutorial {and GIVEAWAY} : :

Happy Monday, friends! Sorry I'm a little late today -- I'm so excited to be sharing a new Fat Quarter Gang project on the Art Gallery Fabrics Blog today! Along with an amazing fabric Giveaway right here, of course! 

Have you met "the Gang"?! 



Today I'm showing you how to create these fun and funky Scrappy Patchwork Shoelaces! You can find the full project tutorial here or simply by clicking on the tutorial image below.



I LOVE Pat Bravo's vision for this collection! I shared a little bit on that when I shared my resent R n' R Skull Quilt. And now, I just couldn't resist making a cool pair of Rock n' Romance laces for these new Converse! 



I think these fabric shoelaces & Converse sneakers are a match made in heaven!! I used several prints from the Heartbreaker palette -- full of cool grays, pretty shades of pick, with a little black!



Now I get the pleasure of hosting a special Fabric Giveaway for a fat quarters bundle of these Gorgeous Rock n' Romance fabrics!

You can find Rock n' Romance newly available in several of my sponsor's shops -- 
*   Fat Quarter Shop   *   The Intrepid Thread   *   Hawthorne Threads  *  Sprightly Fabrics  *

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
 

Be sure to check out this fun collection (and my skull quilt) in full action in the newest 

Art Gallery Fabrics video below!!

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Enter to win this fabric bundle! 

Here's how,

My Rules : :
 
- Simply leave a comment right here, under this post! I'd love to know what your most favorite print is in the Rock n' Romance Collection?!
- Followers of Maureen Cracknell Handmade get an additional entry, too! Whether you follow me here, in your reader, or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)

For Art Gallery Fabrics : :

- Follow them on your fav social media platform (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter)
- Subscribe to their blog to stay up to date on all thing AGF & the Fat Quarter Gang!
Leave a comment letting them know which platform you have chosen to follow them on and that you have subscribed to the blog :)

Please enter now through Friday morning, October 12th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name at the bottom of this blog post.

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win! Please check to make sure you can be contacted!

Wishing a wonderful new week to all!

* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

Thank you to all who entered our Giveaway!! 

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   

  From 744 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #595 -- sandyb, who said...

I love this new collection. My favorite is Wild Hearts Spirited.
Thank you.

Congratulations Sandy!!! I will be in touch shortly!

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A Skull Quilt Top : :

I am so very excited to share this new quilt top with all of you today!



First, let's talk fabric!! I had so much fun making this! It's made out of some of my favorite prints from both colorways of Pat Bravo's newest collection Rock & Romance. Another amazing collection, I have to say!



When I first received these fabrics, I understood Pat's vision right away -- both sweet and dark, feminine and bold, girly-girl meets rocker. Perfect for that daughter, grand-daughter, sister, niece, friend -- who is too mature for anything cute, but still young and definitely fun! This collection is full of pretty florals, which Pat always does so beautifully, in many shades of grey, a little black, with pops of pinks, purples, and yellow. Each print is just gorgeous!!



Next up, the design! Well, what would be more perfect to explain Pat's vision for this collection than a skull quilt?! Oh yeah!

I am so honored to have been asked again to help tell her story for these fabrics through quilt making, just as I did with Indie.



Designing this quilt was such a treat for me. The skull pattern is a little taste specific, but I think it works so well with these fabrics, but the design is versatile enough that it would make a very cool boy quilt for a pretty wide range of ages, as well as the perfect Halloween quilt. Don't you think?

Soon, I plan to offer both this new pattern, and my Indie quilt pattern, here to all of you. I can't wait!!



And now, in case you are wondering where this crazy backdrop of a house is located? The answer is.. right in our little town, smack in the middle of Main St. While making this quilt, I just couldn't get the idea of these pictures out of my head. It just seemed like the most perfect place to go for this particular quilt, it had to happen.

So, last evening Kevin and I did a little innocent trespassing all for the love of Rock & Romance quilt top picture taking. And, it was SO worth it!!



They may look a little spooky, especially in black & white! Yikes!!



But we thought the end result was pretty special! I've seen photos of this "Old Hickory" house used in ads for horror movies shared on facebook, I found a popular photo on flickr from 2006, and even some on Pinterest. I'm glad to have finally found a reason to share it myself!

I do hope to turn this quilt into a pattern, but the truth is, the idea creating a quilt pattern scares me way more than this house? But that's a fear I really need to conquer! I have so many ideas for new quilts....and I'm really hoping you'll be interested in sewing them?!

♥,  Maureen 

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On My Table & Mind : :

Today will be a very busy sewing day for me! So, I thought I'd share quickly what I've been working on and will be working with today!

First up -- Willow! Have you seen this gorgeous new collection by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake? It's what I chose, months ago, to use for this week's Design Team project and I absolutely adore it!! It's so soft and sweet!

photo via Hawthorne Threads

The fabric designs inspired me to work with Dresdens, once again!



Here's a little peek today! Tomorrow the tutorial will be up on the Riley Blake Blog and I'll have a HUGE Willow Giveaway happening right here!!



Next on my list -- Rock & Romance by Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics! LOVE, Love, love!!



I'm sure we'll all agree that this is just pure gorgeousness! I have major plans for these, including a new Fat Quarter Gang Tutorial that I can't wait to write up and a new quilt top all planned out, as well!



Then there's my finished Indie quilt top, patiently waiting!! My hope is to draft up my very first quilt pattern and finish this lovely quilt by the end of September, but that might be wishful thinking? We'll see!



And, now there's this. THIS is my Big News that I hinted about last week. My biggest project ever and ALL I can think about these days -- our HOME!



Just writing that word make me tear-up. It's been a long, long road. Filled with seven moves, some pretty big disappointments, struggles, heartache and worry that the day might never happen when we would be able to give our children a real, permanent HOME. But it's been fun too and we have SO many beautiful memories, that I really can't look back and regret or feel bad about any of it. There is still so much to do and that I want to share, and it will be weeks before we can hold the key, but I can't keep it in any longer. It is much too Big! And, the perfect thing to dream about today while I sew!

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