January 1, 2012

Are You Ready?...

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope all of you enjoyed the holidays. Christmas and New Year's were quiet around here, but we had a nice time celebrating the season and now I'm ready to start putting some of those resolutions into action!

You might remember this little fabric assortment. It's going to be the basis for my 2012 ongoing quilt project - The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. I'm going to host a quiltalong (QAL) right here at Brynwood, and you're all invited!

Now, please understand that this will be the most low-pressure, fun and mostly unscripted QAL you'll probably ever participate in. You'll be choosing your own fabrics, which squares you'd like to create, and the finished size of your quilt.

I'm going to suggest that once you choose your quilt size, you just make the number of blocks needed to complete one horizontal row per month. That's it. (If you're making a large quilt, that might be seven blocks, but if you're doing a wall hanging, your number of blocks will be less.) The large quilt has nine rows, so you'll be finished before November, and if you're an over-achiever, you'll finish long before that! I just want you to know there won't be any pressure and you can finish and show off your blocks - and completed quilt - at your own pace.

Even if you're new to quilting you can participate. You'll be choosing your own blocks, so you can decide on your own level of difficulty, and you can repeat blocks, if you'd like. No one says they all have to be different!

I'm going to show you which blocks I'll choose to sew, and I'll give you my reasons for making them a part of my quilt. I'll also share my thoughts as they relate to the original author of each block. I'll be setting up a Flickr group so that you can upload photos of your blocks each month to share with each other, as well as those who won't be sewing along with us.
If you'd like to participate, you'll need a copy of this book. I've found the best price at Amazon, and if you can click here to purchase your copy.

I also have a set of the templates from the (included) disc, which will print out in one document, so once you've decided that you want to participate and you have your book, please let me know (via email) if you'd like the templates and I'll share them. Understand that you have to have the book, or the templates will be of no value to you.
I'm going to start this project on February 1st. I'll post the names and blog links of everyone who chooses to participate. Now, don't worry if you don't have a blog. I'd still love to have you join in the fun. You'll be able to post your photos in the Flickr group and the only difference will be that there won't be a link back to a blog address.

Please respond in the comment section, or via email if you'd like to participate in my Brynwood Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt QAL. (Please include your blog url if you have one.) I plan to have special giveaways throughout the year for the participants, and will be surprising members of the "party" with a few other things as we progress.
Feel free to share this QAL on your own blog, too. I've made this button for you to put in your sidebar, and you can link it right back to this post.

I hope you'll agree that this will be a fun way to start the new year.

UPDATE: I've added a list of participants (and their blog links) to the menu bar at the top of my blog - 2012 Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt QAL. Just click on it to see who will be joining us. If you want to have your name added to the list, just let me know!

22 comments:

  1. Yes! I'd Like to sign up and get the templates. I've had the book for some time now, and I've been rereading the letters this week. I haven't decided what size I'm making yet, but I've got a pile of fabrice ready to cut into.

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  2. Hi Donna - I would love to play along!! I just ordered the book along with Kaffe Fassett's newest book (free shipping) so I will be ready come February 1. My blog is http://www.thequiltinggarden.blogspot.com/ Thanks for hosting this great QAL - I'll put your button on my sidebar!!!! Kris

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  3. Happy New Year Donna!!! Sign me up :)

    Lucy

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  4. Sounds like you are really jumping into 2012! Have fun with the Quilt-a-Long!!

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  5. I love the color palette, I will be watching from the sidelines, as you create another beautiful quilt.
    Deb

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  6. Will be fun to see where this goes with all your quilting friends, Donna. The color choices are lovely.

    May your New Year be filled with many blessings & Joys.
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

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  7. Know ya'll will have a great time with this quilt.
    Wishing you and yours a very blessed New Year (())

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  8. Dear Donna,

    what wonderfull colours for a quilt. I want to quilt in the next days too but my quilting is absolutely beginners quilting ;-). Only quarters 20x20 cm in different colours and fabrics, and that will be the top of the quilt.

    Your are really a artist in quilting!!!

    Bussal from germany
    Mimi

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  9. Count me in! Happy New Year!
    Sorry - no blog :(

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  10. I'm in.

    Book - check, fabric - check, templates - check, blog - ah, no but will definitely join the Flickr group.

    Intending to do the queen size - 111 blocks. I'm pleased to hear you're not kicking off until February 1 as I have a couple of things to do first.

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  11. I'm ready! Got my fabric, and my book. So glad you have the templates because my CD was broken :( http://karen-needlework.blogspot.com/ is my blog and I'll put the graphic on it. I'll have to decide which size I'm going to make, but it'll be on the larger size I do know that. Thanks for doing this Donna!

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  12. Donna, I look forward to following along your QAL. I am sorry I am not a quilter:( Twyla

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  13. Hi Donna:

    I would love to join you QAL. I have a question though. I don't have this book so I'm just wondering. Do these blocks require a lot of different fabrics or does it depend on the blocks you choose? I would probably do a lap size quilt. I would like to start a new quilt (even though I told myself no :D ) I'm breaking my own vow here. LOL

    Jen

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  14. Oh yes! I have been waiting to join one of these, I think I will be doing a lap or wall hanging. email address is marypernula@yahoo.com blog is http:jmppastimes.blogspot.com



    thanks so much for doing this, looking forward to the fun. Hugs Mary

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  15. Okay Ms Donna! I am in!

    My blog address is www.craftyimaginingsbyjen.blogspot.com

    Jen :D

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  16. Thank you Donna, I really enjoy your blog - and Tag is one of my favorites. I will be starting with you in February. My URL is http://www.missmarys.wordpress.com

    I do have the book and I think a set of the templates. Now it's fabric hunting.

    Mary Fioretti, Algonquin, IL

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  17. I would so enjoy joining this quilt-a-long. I bought the book at my local qiult shop - Grandma's Attic in Dallas, Oregon. I am planning to use Breath of Avignon by Moda (an older line) for my blocks. I do not have a blog, so you can use my email attached to my id through Google. Warmest, Renee

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  18. Donna - Just found your lovely blog and learned of the upcoming Farmer's Wife quilt-a-long. I've had the book for a while now and this will give me the motivation to get started! And yes, I'd love to have the templates. No blog for me - I just enjoying reading those of other quilters!

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  19. I thought I'd let you know that I know have a blog. Thanks, Renee from Oregon.

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  20. I've had this book for a while now - this will be my motivation to get the blocks done! And I'd love to have a copy of the templates. Thanks so much for offering this quilt-along.

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  21. Donna quick note from elizabeth I dont seem to be able to email you at the moment my computer is playing games but I have made my first two blocks not happy about the colors need more contrast and i am from Australia/email
    elizabethstreeter21@gmail.com

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  22. Thank you for putting this QAL together, Donna. Sounds like fun.
    Yes, please sign me up. I just received the book, but would love the Templates, too. Thank you. I've sent you an email with my info, but it is below, too.
    Hugs,
    Cyn; -)
    www.CynsQuiltedTravels.blogspot.com

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna