Our Final Cozy Afternoon Together!!!

Today is the day you will receive your instructions to finish up your Cozy Afternoon top!  Here is mine....

I have to admit, I am very happy with it!!!

It was actually all finished several weeks ago, but then I decided I really didn't care for my choice to use small purple cornerstones in the chain around the center block .... See that previous version below ...

Can you see the purple squares?

To me, the purple breaks up the chain - which defeats the whole purpose of putting the chain design in there, right?  So, while at retreat last week, I took out all the offending cornerstones ....

.... and I replaced them with bright colorful orange ones!

I am much happier with this result!

I had originally thought to try to find a Laurel Burch cat print for the backing, but one of my guild friends recently had a de-stash sale, and I picked up this fun and very colorful cat print for $2 a yard - woohoo!!!

Have you ever seen a GREEN cat?  BLUE?  FUSCIA?

These are SEW FUN!!!

And you gotta love those cowboy hats LOL!!!

They look kinda "Nashville" don't they?

I hope you've had as much fun as I have while making these fun blocks designed and shared with us FREE by Jacquelynne Steves!  You can check out her final blog post HERE - and you'll find all the links to other guest bloggers as well.  I can't wait to check out all the finished tops!!!

As always, Jacquelynne is offering a lovely GIVEAWAY of digital pdf patterns to one lucky winner on this blog.  I'm going to make it SEW very easy ... Anyone can win!  Just leave a comment - any comment! - on this blog post before midnight, Monday October 19.  I'll pick a random winner to receive this awesome prize!

In addition, I thought it would be fun to reward my lovely faithful followers with a Giveaway as well!  If you are a follower, leave a SECOND COMMENT, telling me how you follow A Quilt and A Prayer and you will be entered into a drawing for a set of Jacquelynne's Cozy Afternoon Quilt Labels!!!  These labels are SO, SO NICE!!! The photo below shows one of the labels on the left, sewn onto Jacquelynne's quilt - there are 10 adorable labels total in the set.  They are cloth labels printed with the fun applique designs from the Cozy Afternoon blocks!

This picture also shows the cute notecards on the right
the notecards are not included in the giveaway!!
You can get your set of these from Jacquelynne's Shop HERE

Remember - you must be a follower in order to be entered in this second giveaway.  It's just my way of saying Thank You for hanging in there and loving me even though I have been rather absent lately.  I appreciate you each and every one!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Cozy Afternoon - Block #5!

Wow!  Can it really already be time to reveal our last block for the Cozy Afternoon BOM designed by Jacquelynne Steves?

You may notice right away that my #5 Block is very different from everyone else's.

I love Jacquelynne's design....

......... but as you can see, it doesn't have half-square-triangle corners, which I need in order for the block to fit in with my overall quilt design for this quilt.

If you've been following along, you might remember that I've chosen to have my corner blocks appear round by using the black and purple half-square triangles in each corner .... (and if you're new to AQAP, you can go HERE to catch up on my design process for this fun BOM project!)

Soooooo, I had to put on my creative cap and come up with a design that would complement Jacquelynne's other wonderful blocks, but still give me those hst corners.

Of course, my first task was to choose my final Laurel Burch cat to have center stage in this block, and then to surround it with the black solid frame ....

Is she sticking her tongue out at us?  I really think she is!!!  She's saying, "Hey, can I help it if I'm gorgeous?  And I know you're jealous that I get to sit under a magnificent purple sky full of dazzling rainbow stars, but what can I say ... I'm a Laurel Burch cat and that's pretty darn special.  So there!"

I think she's pretty darn sassy, is what I think!  

And gorgeous too of course

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For the design, I really liked the strip look Jacquelynne has incorporated in her CA block designs, so the first easy decision was to stick with that concept.  I began to play with options in EQ7 - still a huge learning curve there for me, but I'm plugging along at it :*)  This is what I ended up with in the design program ....

 Looks pretty close to the finished block shown at the beginning of this post, doesn't it?  I was thrilled with the way this worked out for me with my novice EQ7 skills :*)  From there, I was able to print out the paper-piece foundation sheets and work out measurements and piecing order....

Next I auditioned fabrics....

Don't you just love the name of this happy red?

I really enjoy reading the names on selvedges :*)

Before long, my strips were cut and I was ready to sew.....

This was a pretty simple block to sew up.  I just had to be careful to match the seams in the middle of each section.  Again, here is my finished Block #5 .... TaDa!!!!

And here it is in it's place on the Design Wall ....

I'm really happy with the way this quilt has progressed.  I just love Jacquelynne's designs for both the Sew Sweet Simplicity and Cozy Afternoon blocks - and I love the way they play so well together :*)  I'm not sure I can wait to show you the final assembly and reveal the finished quilt top on our next post!!!

If you have not been stitching along with us, it's never too late to join in!  Click on the BOM names above and it will take you to Jacquelynne's site where you can get the blocks.  You will be glad you did, because Jacquelynne has planned another fun Sew-Along Day coming up!  Click HERE to find out more about this exciting event!

Jacquelynne has planned a super-fun, sewing party day, filled with fun, games and lots of giveaways, so don't miss it!!!  You can use this day to join others in assembling your quilt top, or maybe just get caught up on your blocks - or even make extras!

And in other exciting news, Jacquelynne has announced the addition of Cozy Afternoon Quilt Labels and Note Cards in her online shop!!!  There are 10 adorable Quilt Labels, and 2 each of 4 designs for the Note Cards.  Click HERE to get you some :*)  Hint-Hint ---- I understand these labels have sold out TWICE already, so don't delay, order now!  Could anything be more perfect for the final touch on your Cozy Afternoon quilt?

Now, last but certainly not least, I know you are excited to see what Jacquelynne is offering this month for her Giveaway, right?

Isn't that exciting?  Pinwheels make me think of childhood playdays in the park on a crisp Fall day!  You know you want to win!!!  So first thing, leave a comment here telling me what you love most about Fall.  Don't forget to make sure I can contact you if you win!!!  Then go over to Jacquelynne's post HERE to find the other hostess bloggers who are revealing their #5 blocks and offering this amazing giveaway.  So many chances to win - and you get to see how each hostess has chosen her own fabrics and methods to bring this block to life!

This Giveaway is open through midnight of September 20, 2015.  And the best part is that since the patterns are digital, anyone can win!

I'll be back with the final reveal on October 13!  In the meantime, I hope you all have some fun Fall activities planned.  I have a few retreats in the next couple of months, and one very special beach trip with my Mom - just me and her :*)  I'm like a little kid in my excitement!!!!

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Cozy Afternoon Block #4

Wow - can you believe we are already making Block #4 of Jacquelynne Steve's BOM, Cozy Afternoon?  

I've had so much fun making these blocks - and I particularly loved making this one ....

This is the only block that has a dog as well as the cat.  At first I thought, How sweet! They look so cute together, like best friends.  But then I looked closer and noticed the look on that cat's face .......

She looks as if she's saying, "Really?  You've tied me up in these stupid RIBBONS with this stupid DOG????  You know I can't stand even being in the same room with him!!!  He DROOLS and he BEGS!!!  No self-respecting cat would ever do something so GROSS!!!  Ewwww ... I think he's drooling on my shoulder!!!!"

And next to her is that sweet little dog, all doey-eyed with love and almost quivering in his happiness to be all cuddled up next to his cat sibling whom he adores.  LOL!!!!

Such is the special talent of Laurel Burch that she gave her art such character and LIFE!!!

In fact, I fell so far in love with this block that I decided it needed to be my center block for the quilt.....

See how the lines of the blue and purple make a nice frame for the chains made by the Sew Sweet Simplicity blocks around it? (Note - see my note at the end of this post if you love those SSS blocks as much as I do!!!)  And since Cozy Afternoon has five block designs, the quilt will end up in a perfect nine block square :)

This was actually the first CA block I made, and it was while I was planning it that my final plans for the overall quilt design came together in my mind.  I knew if I wasn't careful, all these bright colors and designs would just become a jumbled hot mess!

I decided I wanted those wonderful hot colors - pinks, oranges, reds, yellows - to pop and play in the block centers ...

......with those luscious cool colors - blues and purples - framing and containing all that color explosion :)

And this is how the blocks are looking all together so far ..... I think my plan is working!

Block #5 will go in that bottom left section
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If you are making these fun Cozy Afternoon blocks too, be sure to share your blocks with all of us at Jacquelynne's Facebook page and Instagram!  You can also find me on Instagram HERE :*)

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And now for the GIVEAWAY!!!!  As always, Jacquelynne loves to give away fun patterns and projects :)  To celebrate the release of this CA fourth block, she is giving away a digital pdf set of these PATTERNS to one lucky winner from my blog!

I love that Mad About You quilt!  Quilt block designs with curves have always appealed to me - and of course those colors are right up my alley :)  And who doesn't need an adorable tote bag to carry our latest hand project in style?

For more opportunities to win, go to Jacquelynne's blog post HERE and find links to all the other bloggers who are showing off their blocks today and hostessing the Giveaway :*)

This Giveaway is open to anyone - just leave a fun comment on my blog post here and you'll be entered.  We will close comments and choose a winner at midnight on Sunday, August 16.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Note:  You can still get the Sew Sweet Simplicity patterns from Jacquelynne at her website HERE!)

Sew Sweet Simplicity by Jacquelynne Steves

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Cozy Afternoon Block #3!

Looks who's come out to play!

This is the Laurel Burch kitty that graces my Block #3 for Jacquelynne Steve's BOM Cozy Afternoon =^..^=

Last month, we made Blocks #1 and #2 --- you ARE making these with us aren't you?  These first two blocks were fun and quite easy to make - and I LOVE EASY!!!  Don't you?  Not to mention FREE, of course :*)  You can see my post on making the first two blocks HERE.

If you've just discovered Cozy Afternoon, it's definitely not too late to join in!  Or how about inviting a friend or two to join in the fun with you?  Just go to THIS LINK and sign up - you'll receive Blocks #1, #2 and #3.  And it won't take very long to catch up either :*)

Assembly of this block is easy - which is a very good thing because I almost waited too late to make it!!!  I was so looking forward to this block, and it was on my calendar for this weekend ... but .....  Saturday was a blur of things we had to take care of around the house, and then we unexpectedly added a 12-hour trip yesterday to pick up our granddaughter Sara.  I got home about 8:30pm, got Sara and her puppy Link all settled in, and was just about ready to fall into the bed, exhausted, at about 10:30 last night when I remembered!!!  Yep, I still had a block to make and this post to write - YIKES!!!

Miss Sara was an angel, keeping me company (and keeping me awake!) while I pulled fabrics, cut them up, framed my kitty, and began to sew my block.  Sara chose the kitty for this block =^..^=

Then I put her to work pressing my seams as each piece came racing out of the sewing machine......

...... she did an awesome job and saved me SO much time!!!

Many of you may remember Sara from her visit last summer when we had fun teaching her how to sew.  You can read all about those adventures HERE if you're interested :)  We sure are hoping to sneak in some stitching time this visit too!

Finally, my block was done!

Oh my gosh, I love it!

You might notice that because I want to keep consistency in my corners for these blocks, I had to revise Jacquelynne's pattern just a touch by leaving out the square in the corner sections.  Mine are just simple half-square triangles :)

These blocks are really fun, and I love that they are easy to make but still have great visual impact.  Here are all the blocks so far on my Design Wall ....

The blocks in the corners are the Cozy Afternoon blocks, and the others are from Sew Sweet Simplicity, Jacquelynne's BOM last year.  Next month I'll add Block #4 to the center of the layout and it will really begin looking like a quilt top!

As always, to celebrate this month's new block, Jacquelynne is offering a wonderful package of her PDF digital patterns to one lucky reader here at A Quilt and A Prayer.  I spy the cutest little petal pincushion in there!!!!

The giveaway is open to all readers and will end promptly at midnight, central time, Sunday, July 19.  For your chance to win, just leave a nice comment on this post telling me the most exciting thing going on in your life right now.  I love happy stories!  Be sure to visit Jacquelynne's blog today as well, and see all the other bloggers who are sharing their finished #3 blocks and hosting a giveaway - multiply your chances of winning!

And don't forget to mark your calendars ---- Next block - August 10th :*)

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Cozy Afternoon!

It's Here!!!

The Cozy Afternoon BOM starts today!  If you've signed up to sew along, you should have already received an email from Jacquelynne with the patterns for the first two blocks.  If you haven't signed up .... what are you waiting for?????  It's FREE!!! And it's FUN!!!  Go HERE NOW to sign up :*)

You can see Jacquelynne's wonderful blocks #1 and #2 on her blog post today HERE, and see how gorgeous they look in her fabric choices.  (She does still have a few fabric kits, but they're going fast so get one while you can!!!)  Her post shows many different ways to make the fun and easy blocks - applique, embroidered, or even just pieced with a yummy focus fabric!

All of Jacquelynne's guest bloggers are also posting the first two blocks today - including me! :*)  You can find all those super friendly, helpful guest bloggers listed below!  And as always, stick around to the end of this post, because Jacquelynne is offering a SUPER GIVEAWAY PACKAGE!!!

As I shared in an earlier post, my plan is to continue using the Laurel Burch panel cats that I used in Sew Sweet Simplicity last year...

Yes, I had to change the corners of the top block so it would "chain" with the others :*)

And by the way, if you missed out on the Sew Sweet Simplicity sew-along, don't fret!  You can still get the patterns at a very small cost from Jacquelynne's Shop HERE!

When I realized that the blocks for Cozy Afternoon (CA) are all rounded in design, I thought they would be perfect to set in between the SSS blocks - and I was right as you will see :*)

The first CA block is a super simple strip design.  Here are all my pieces cut and ready to go ....

It was a snap to simply sew those four hot-colored strips together in the order I liked best and then cut them into the required sized chunks for the block design ....

These bright fabrics make a very colorful frame for this gorgeous Laurel Burch Cat, don't they?  

There will be TONS of color and activity going on in this quilt, so I've decided to use this calming purple dot with black to make corner HST's on all of these CA blocks to pull it together.  I'll share more on my thoughts on that later :*)

I used Jacquelynne's instructions for making these hst's and then squared them up using my favorite new tool, the 6-1/2" Bloc-Loc ruler.  I'll explain more about these rulers in a little more depth later in this post :)

Here is my completed Block #1 .....

I just LOVE IT!!!

So now on to Block #2!

Lots of bright colorful hst's for this block!  First we make four hst diamond blocks - these were so fun!!!

You might notice that instead of pressing these seams open as Jacquelynne suggests, I decided to press mine to one side because I may end up quilting this block by stitching in the ditch (SID) and will need that fabric under the stitching if I do.  If you don't think you'll be using SID for your quilting, then pressing the seams open is definitely the way to go!  You can see in the top right photo that I also alternated the pressing direction on these so they would "nest" nicely for me when it came time to assemble the units....

I also used a Bloc-Loc ruler on these smaller units -  my 2-1/2" ruler was perfect for the job!

In the top two pictures, you can see that you simply line up the diagonal seam with the "groove" in the ruler and trim the first two sides, leaving room to turn and trim the remaining two sides to finish it up to a perfect square.  See how nicely that diagonal is kept true?  That makes for perfect hst's, and no tips floating or cut off when you stitch them together - pure bliss!!!

These rulers are a little pricey, but I have found them to be well worth it.  They are available in many sizes, but I actually use the 6-1/2" ruler for most applications because it will square up any size hst that size or smaller.  I couldn't resist picking up the 2-1/2" ruler at Quiltfest this year because I knew it would be a pretty common, much-used size - and I must admit, it is a luxury to have that convenience :*)  HERE is the Bloc-Loc site if you are interested in checking them out.

Once all the little hst diamonds were finished up and looking oh-so-adorable, Jacquelynne has us twist them around one clockwise turn around the block for additional interest - notice how each fabric travels around to a different position on each diamond?  I really like this fun effect!

Sooooo back to the star of this block - the Laurel Burch Cat!  I chose to use this wonderful feline for the center of Block #2 .... it takes me back to my groovy 70's days :*)  Flower Power baby!!!

And here is my completed block ....

Again, I love it!!!

Isn't this a FUN block?  

And here is my Design Wall with the two new blocks added ...

The circle shows where I fixed the corners of that center top block so it "chains"

Notice that I've chosen to use the hot colors (pinks, reds, yellows, oranges) in the side sections of the new CA blocks, and then contrasted with the cool purple dot/black hst's in the corners?  That's to give the design a framework, so the eye can rest on those cool areas :*)  The center block will be surrounded with the purple dot to tie it all together.

I hope my blocks will offer some inspiration as you start to play with your Cozy Afternoon version!  Be sure to share your blocks with us on Instagram at #CozyAfternoonQuilt - spread the inspiration!!! 

Block #3 will be released July 13, so be sure to come on back !!!

And now, for the GIVEAWAY you've all been waiting for!!!  This awesome Digital Pattern Package from Jacquelynne is going to the winner of my giveaway!!!  For your chance to win, leave me a comment telling me what you like to do best on a "cozy afternoon" - and keep it clean LOL!!!  If you are a follower, you can have a second chance to win by leaving a second comment letting me know how you follow!!!  The giveaway is open to all readers, domestic and international, and will end at midnight on Saturday, June 20.

Now - head on over to visit the other Cozy Afternoon guest bloggers - you'll be glad you did!!!  See their creative versions of the CA blocks, and get more chances to win the super GIVEAWAY!!!

A Quilt and a Prayer (ME!!!)

http://aquiltandaprayer.blogspot.com/

Lily Pad Quilting   

http://lilypadquilting.blogspot.com/ 

Red Letter Quilts

http://redletterquilts.blogspot.com/ 

The Crafty Quilter

http://thecraftyquilter.com/

44th Street Fabric

http://44thstreetfabric.blogspot.com/                       

Kathy's Quilts

http://www.kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

Hugs & Blessings!

Teresa

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Also linking up with Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday and Freemotion by the River Tuesday Linky Party