Rhapsody in Bloom (and a giveaway)

This creative pattern was designed for Quiltmaker magazine by a teenager, Doug Leko. I was quite fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview him. You can read that interview at the Quiltmaker Blog, Quilty Pleasures. I believe it will be published tomorrow, or the next day.

Many of the other members of the Scrap Squad finished their quilting completely and they look fabulous! I have the quilting still left to do.

We learned about our first pattern just after Christmas, when my spirits were high and my pocket book was low. Have you ever found your self in that position? More inspiration than financing! I dug deep into my stash and found enough scraps to make a twin size RIB. (that's Rhapsody in Bloom ~ love the acronyms)

I was initially worried I wouldn't have enough contrast, colors, fabrics... you name it, I fretted about it! When I completed my first block, it was SO SCRAPPY, it was hard to see the actual pattern.

But I had faith that with more than 20 blocks in the twin size, the repeat would show up. In the end I am incredibly happy with the final quilt! And my daughter is thrilled with a new quilt for her bed.

I used approximately 32 different fabrics. The largest cut of fabric was a fat quarter and my smallest cut was a 2 1/2 inch square. I didn't use a unifying fabric to tie the project together and give your eye a place to rest ~ with my fabrics, it's all go, go, go!

One of my favorite elements of quilting is seeing how many incredibly unique ways one pattern can look fabulous. As a part of the Scrap Squad I get to be a part of seeing that process first hand. I am so fortunate to work with such a talented group of women that all look at the same pattern I do and see something radically different. I am inspired and amazed when I see the many interpretations of the same pattern! You can browse all the photos at the Scrap Squad Photo Gallery. I think you'll be just as inspired as I am!

I hope you'll take the time to check out everyone's blogs:

• Ruth at Threads of Mine


• Jane at Forest Jane


• Kim at Pokeytown Kim


• Donna at Donna's Quilts


• Pat at Crazy Quilter Mama


• Linda at Linda's Quilting Blog


• Carol at her Connecting Threads Blog

Oh, and I almost forgot. The designer of the quilt, Doug Leko, is having a little giveaway on his blog ~ but it ends today, by the end of the day! So head over to his blog: Antler Quilt Designs Please tell him Dionne sent you!

Cheers,

Dionne