Around the World Blog Hop

Welcome to our little corner of the world in Rhode Island. I was invited to participate in this hop by Helen at Till We Quilt Again.  She's been secretly following me for a while, but she's out of the closet now! We were provided with some prompts to guide these posts, so here we go.

What and I working on?

If you've visited recently, you are probably sick of seeing pics of the latest wedding ring quilt in progress. It is the fourth in a series of wedding ring quilts for nieces and nephews. You can see the others here and here. For this one, the bride asked for blue, and the groom (a Syracuse alumnus) wanted to include some orange. I was only too happy to oblige! The arcs are done (all 160 of them) so I will start working on the star points this week. I am using the Bali Wedding Star pattern by Judy Niemeyer.

When I need a break from this project, I piece a few Farmer's Wife blocks from this book.

 How does my work differ from others?

That's a tough question! I've been quilting for almost 24 years, so I've tried just about every new technique and style. I enjoy quick piecing techniques, especially paper piecing. But I don't mind some occasional handwork like hand binding, applique and English Paper Piecing. I love the aesthetic of the Modern Quilting movement, so I have been trying to combine those fabrics and ideas with the skills I have acquired. 

Why do I create what I do?

There are class projects, 

 

gifts and swaps,

and ideas that just need to get out!

 

And now it's time to hop on to a couple of friends who will have you traveling around the world in opposite directions: Northwest US and Munich, Germany. I hope you will visit Debbie and Rike for their posts next Monday, August 18.

 

 

 I met Debbie of A Quilter's Table in 2011 when she made this amazing quilt for me as part of the For the Love of Solids Swap. I chose Kona Mango as the focus color and she went above and beyond! You can find her tutorial for this block here. 

 Rike of Quilts und andere schöne Sachen (Quilts and other beautiful stuff) is a blogger I'd like to introduce you to. Don't worry, she blogs in both German and English. She got married just last week, so do visit and share the love!

Have a wonderful day. I'm off to the beach!

AMB Blog Tour- Rhode Island

Welcome to Rhode Island! It is my pleasure to represent Little Rhody on the American Made Brand Blog Tour. 

Even though I grew up in upstate New York, I've always loved Rhode Island. I was the shortest kid in my class, so I always felt a connection with the smallest state. I came here on vacation with my parents in the 70's, and our car broke down in the town where I now live.

From the beaches and lighthouses to Newport mansions and Waterfire, I invite you to Discover Beautiful Rhode Island.

If you visit, and I hope you will, you will need to try the clam cakes at Aunt Carries, doughboys at Iggy's, Del's frozen lemonade, and jonny cakes.

And then there's Coffee Milk, our state drink. Imagine chocolate milk, but replace the chocolate syrup with coffee-flavored syrup. I had never heard of it until my son started drinking it for lunch in first grade. He's a Marine now, and this is what he asked me to buy for him when he came home last weekend.

Rhode Island is the smallest and possibly most misunderstood state in the Union. Let's have a little fun with a True/False quiz. (answers at the bottom of the post)

1. Rhode Island is part of New York State.

2. Roger Williams founded Rhode Island after being kicked out of Massachusetts.

3. Rhode Island is smaller in area than Los Angeles and Dallas.

4. The state bird is a chicken.

5. Rhode Island has a strong history of textile manufacturing.

6. Quahog is a town in Rhode Island.

Here's my license plate for the 50 states tour. I was inspired by Rhode Island's sandy beaches, sea glass, and the state motto. 

Click here to download the pattern for my Rhode Island block. I pieced the background from eight 3" Bright Hopes blocks in sand and sea glass colors. 

The block does require sewing partial seams which is not difficult, and it is a good technique to have in your tool box. Visit this tutorial if you've never tried it before. 

For my vanity plate, I machine appliquéd the word HOPE in navy blue. To finish it up, "Rhode Island" was embroidered with a running stitch in navy thread.

I know you're really here to enter the giveaway! American Made Brand is offering a pack of fat quarters at each stop on the tour. I am offering a second prize pack including one of my paper pieced lapel pins, some chocolate made in my little town, and a set of AMB 5" charm squares in almost all 50 colors (sorry, I miscut my leftover piece of navy). You must have a US mailing address to be eligible. To enter, leave a comment telling me what state you are from and be sure I have your email address. Winners will be randomly selected on Monday, June 2 at 0800.

Enjoy the rest of the tour!

Quiz Answers:

1. False. Rhode Island is not the same as Long Island.

2. True. Roger Williams settled in 1636 in an area called Providence Plantations. The official name of the state is "The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."

3. False. Rhode Island: 1,212 square Miles. Los Angeles: 503 square miles. Dallas: 385 square miles.

4. True. The Rhode Island Red is a popular breed for small flocks.

5. True. Samuel Slater started the first cotton spinning and textile manufacturing mills in Pawtucket, RI. There is a great quilt shop in the old Lonsdale Mill in Lincoln.

6. False. A quahog (pronounced KO-hog) is a type of clam. Family Guy is set in the fictional town of Quahog. Creator Seth MacFarlane graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. 

The giveaway is now closed. Thank you for visiting!

Let's Hit the Road!

 Today is the first day of the American Made Brand Blog Tour. You can be sure I will be following along through all 50 states.

The tour kicks off today in Delaware and Pennsylvania, the first two states to sign the Constitution.

 I finished my block for Rhode Island this weekend. I'll tease you with the fabric I used in the colors of sand and sea glass.

I was inspired by scenes like this: the Point Judith Lighthouse in Narragansett, RI.

 I hope you'll come back next Tuesday, May 27, for my stop on the tour. You could win a stack of fat quarters from AMB or some Rhode Island goodies from me!

Enjoy the trip!

Exciting News!

 Are you ready for a road trip? American Made Brand is hosing a blog tour of all 50 states beginning May 19, and Rhode Island will be represented by Seaside Stitches!

Each blogger will be creating a license plate that represents her/his state. At the end of the project, all 50 blocks will be assembled into a fun quilt. At each stop, there will be patterns, travel info, and of course giveaways!

If you haven't heard of American Made Brand yet, please take a look. There are 50 gorgeous solids, made completely in the United States.

Be sure to come back on May 27 to see my license plate and to enter the giveaway. I'm so excited!