quiltmaker's 100 blocks vol. 14 blog tour

We had a really long summer here in Germany and autumn appeared the middle of October quickly followed by a sudden appearance of winter with a touch of snow. Today it looks like a typical autumn day though - overcast, raining, dreary...so I would like to cheer you up with some pretty quick quilt blocks to pep up your day. Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks is having another great blog tour of fabulous designs from today's hottest designers and giving away gorgeous fabrics as well as other prizes every day this week. Please stop by and check it out.

Oh, I almost forgot! My block is also published in the magazine. You can find it in the centerfold (again). I just love being in the centerfold. My newest block is called "Mountain Range." As you might have guessed, I like to design blocks with nature in mind. This block was inspired by the Appalachian Mountains of N. Carolina, my home for more than a decade before I moved to Germany.

Mountain Range designed by Karen Ackva

Some of you might look at this block and think it is complicated as far as sewing it together. It is much simpler than you think. The magazine gives an excellent explanation as how to sew it all together and your points will match up perfectly, I promise you.

Mountain Range made with Cotton & Steel Fabrics

Have I gotten your creative juices going about what to make with this block? If not, here are a couple of suggestions:

Make a full-sized quilt with the 12" blocks adding multiple sashings and borders. No one ever said you had to make 48 quilt blocks for a quilt - 16 blocks are enough.

Scrappy Mountain Range Quilt ~ 72 x 72 inches

Or shrink the blocks down to 6 inches, make four, set on point and make a modern throw pillow.

Mountain Range Throw Pillow ~ 19 x 19 inches

Go go for an ultra modern look by adding blocks and changing up the arrangement. Add an  interesting border in contrasting colors and you have a new masterpiece your the house. Now wouldn't that make a nice holiday quilt?

Ultra Modern Mountain Range Quilt ~ 70 x 85 inches

Thank you for joining me today. I hope you join up to the other participants along the blog tour Quiltmaker Blog Tour and see all the blocks from extremely creative quilters and designers. Along the way, you will find great prizes, fabrics and always the great quilt publications from Quiltmakers!!

GIVEAWAY

And let us not forget, I am also giving away a copy of the magazine (maybe more than one) to a lucky person (or more and maybe a few other goodies). Just leave a comment below stating what your favorite block is and why. One entry per person please. (My personal block favorite is the Sweet Cupcake by Krista Lea of Quiet Play at quietplay.blogspot.com, because I love cupcakes!!) I will pick one (or more) lucky winner on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Good luck and happy patching!

****WINNERS chosen******

Congratulations to PrairieKat and to the Swedish Scrapper for winning. Please contact me so I can get your winning prize out to you. Thank you everyone for participating. Have a great weekend!

around the world blog hop

I have been tagged! My dear friend, Katrin aka Cattinka has tagged me in the Around the World Blog Hop introducing yourself, your blog and a few things everyone should know about you. 

Katrin is not only a blogger friend, but also also a real-life good friend. We sew together weekly when time permits and belong to the same patchwork group. She loves to try out new things although her first love is to EPP. She's always fun to be around too; we love joking with each other and can be brutal at times! Don't forget to check out her blog if you haven't already. I am sure she is already blogging about our weekend in Alsace at the European Patchwork Convention.

But, are you curious to get to know ME a little better? Then to my mini interview.

1. What quilting/sewing thing am I working on?

I am constantly working on something usually many things in parallel - no less than 10 projects. I jump around according to time, mood, weather, other responsibilities and priorities. Today, I am finishing up some samples for my first weekend retreat in the French Alps where I will be giving a demonstration into paper piecing using scraps. (I am such a lucky girl!) 

When I get that finished I will start on an exchange quilt for my current Doll Quilt Swap partner. Our theme for the month was Farmer's Market or Back to School, but we chose to go with Halloween. I love to decorate for Halloween, and it will give me a jump start to the process. 

Start of my thinking process - Halloween

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Now that is an interesting question! How does mine differ? In the past couple of years I have noticed a pattern in my style. I am a mix of modern and traditional. I like to use solids and prints. I like the look of unity and balance in my designs but also a center point or something asymmetrical or out of balance. I like to try out new techniques and bring them all together. I don't limit myself to just piecing or appliqué.  I love to take traditional blocks and change them. Most importantly, I like things simple and easy. If it is too complicated, I will lose interest. Those who know me and my work, know that I like to be precise. (If my seams don't line up, I am compelled to rip the seam.That's a tick of mine.) I prefer to be great at the simple things instead of mediocre with the complicated ones. I design a lot of my quilts with EQ7, but I also let my quilts evolve as I put them together. All of my graphics, designs, photography, text, instructions are written/made by me - from a quilter for a quilter.

Designing in EQ7 - a computer program for quilters

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

I have a blog to seek out others who have the same interest - to exchange ideas, tips and experiences. Quilting used to be handed down from older generations to younger ones. I didn't learn quilting from my mother. I learned it from reading, reading, going to patchwork classes, talking to other patchworkers, reading, reading, looking at pictures, practicing, observing, reading, reading, trying out new things. I think I also have to write, because I did learn how to type in high school and had countless literature and writing classes in college. It would be a shame to let it all go to waste.

I create, because I have a burning need in my to do so. I have to create! I was always a creative person interested in arts and crafts. Art was my best subject in school just after math. I know there are a lot of other patchworkers out there with the same combo - math/art interest. I envy those who studied architecture, because their styles really appeal to me. So, I have this compelling need not just to create, but to think. I love to find solutions. How can I? What happens if? What can be done better? Simpler? Faster?

Starting the sewing process

4. How does my writing/creating process work?

I don't know how many times I have gone to bed at night thinking about designing new quilting blocks or designs. I usually start with something simple like a shape, and it automatically designs itself in my head. Sometimes it starts to unravel itself and turns in several different directions at once. (I should keep paper and pencil next to my bed to capture all of the ideas, but I think I would never get to sleep that way.) After I have designed for a while, I try to pick the best solution and keep thinking of it not about it. When the next morning comes, if the idea stayed, I write it down or try to capture it on paper or fabric. 

My writing reflects this constant tangent idea and branching out process. I have to rope myself back in to stay concentrated. And, sometimes I do have to make lists to keep myself on track.

I hope you have gained some insights to who I am and why I do the things I do. Thank you for dropping by. And if you are interested in riding the wave of interesting bloggers follow the paths below. They have been officially tagged! They will introduce themselves on Monday, September 29, 2014, if they have decided to take my challenge.

If you are curious to see the final Halloween mini quilt, stay tuned!
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Janet from What comes next?
She is one awesome (modern) quilter who is an active member of the Vancouver Modern Quilting Guild. She dazzles me with her geometric designs and quilting. Her color combos are so unified! Janet inspired me to immediately try out a cutting technique that I fell in love with.

Paula playing with Mud, Pies and Pins
We have exchanged quilts through the Doll Quilt Monthly and will meet up for the first time at the quilting retreat at the Peaks. Irish-born and living in CH, she uses her love of English Paper Piecing (EPP) to design the most exquisite mini hexies and butterflies.

Please join in and keep the fun going.
Karen