2013 Designer Mystery Blog Hop: Week 2

Wow, what a weekend! We had a whopping 34" of snow here in CT and got quite a workout shoveling our way out. The roads are a *little* better after a bulldozer and plow finally came through last night, but schools are closed until Wednesday! Here are a few pictures from our house (there are many more on my Instagram feed):

Ok, onto some brighter, warmer, fun stuff!

Welcome, welcome to Week 2 of Fat Quarter Shop's Designer Mystery Blog Hop! This year, the fabric collection that was chosen is called Avalon by Fig Tree Quilts. The fabric is light, a little whimsical and grounded with a bit of navy, which you’ll find sprinkled through the quilt.  If you sign up for the BOM, as a little treat from FQS, you will receive a mini Charm Pack of Avalon with the first month’s block! A taste of the fabric before the club kicks into full gear. Each of the twelve sampler blocks in the quilt is designed by a different Moda designer and feature rows of baskets, stars, flowers and houses.

Joanna's collections and quilt patterns are always so beautiful and timeless. I've had the true privilege of getting to know Joanna over the years and the passion and expertise that she brings to her work is made visible in everything she does. Joanna is a star to me, so i was honored and delighted to be asked to participate in this block of the month by contributing a star-themed block design to one row of the quilt. How lucky i am to share the row with a constellation of other wonderful Moda designers: Bonnie & Camille and V and Co.. (don't forget to visit their blogs today, too!).

When designing my block, i had so much fun playing around with Avalon and seeing Joanna's creative eye and aesthetic at work encouraging and engaging me all the way. And you know what I learned? No matter which patterns or colors i combined, they always looked beautiful together! Here's a sneak peek of only part of the finished quilt — the rest is a mystery!

For some extra "star fun", FQS asked us to tell you about our favorite celebrity. Though he's no longer with us, i would have to say mine is Paul Newman.

Not just because of those striking good looks, heart-melting eyes or these...

...or these...

...or even this... 

...well those are good too, but i admire him most for his vision and dedication to humanitarian and social causes. An impressive 100% of the proceeds from his Newman's Own food products go to educational and charitable organizations through the Newman Foundation. Which of course gives us a good reason to buy lots and lots of these!

Mr. Newman lived in Westport, CT— just a couple towns over from where we live now. Thanks to his progressive influence and generous funding our area has a community movie theater that is run by high school students (including kids with disabilities), a local farmer's market, a field-to-table restaurant that supports local farms, and CT has one of 14 Hole in the Wall Gang camps for children with serious illnesses. In fact they're celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year! Mr. Newman is a star whose light continues to shine on.

Thanks for stopping by and reading along. Be sure to swing by the Jolly Jabber to enter their giveaway! Here's the schedule again incase you missed it. You can hop forward or backward and enter once each week for a chance to win!

2.04: Fig Tree Quilts, Pieces from My Heart, Laundry Basket Quilts

2/11/13: Bonnie & Camille, V & Co., Kate Spain

2.18: Kansas Troubles Quilters, Primitive Gatherings, Minick & Simpson

2.25: Bunny Hill Designs, Me & My Sister Designs, Sweetwater

3.01: Winners Post - Fat Quarter Shop

Good luck everyone! Have fun.

xo,

kate