I done said I would...

I wrote yesterday that I would be back today and here I am. 

I wrote that I would have pictures of the new Schnibbles patterns and I do!  I also wrote last week that I would tell you about some of the @(#$# that Rosie had to listen to while I was finishing the last four Schnibbles.   

So here goes.

This is Honeycomb.  Central Park by Kate Spain.  I love this fabric.   

 
While I toyed with the idea of using different colors for the background, I kept coming back to the white, a lovely Bella Solid.  I love how clean and clear it is, and how clean and clear it makes the rest of the colors in the prints.  As for the hexagons, I didn't use a template, just a ruler with a 60-degree line on it.  And, yes, there is a seam across the middle of the hexagon.  It was the only way I could be fairly sure of everyone being able to get consistently sized pieces without having to buy, make or use a template.    

Honeycomb measures 36" x 39" and can be made with two charm packs and some background yardage.  My quilt was made using a Layer Cake which is why I had enough for the scrap-pieced binding and this backing --

 
I put a strip down the middle and wrote my "label" on it when the quilt was finished.  The only thing the quilt needs now is washing to get it all soft and quilty.   

This is RicRac.  It was made using a Light and Dark Charm Pack -- 100 squares -- by Primitive Gatherings.  The borders and sashings are a Moda Crossweave.  If you're not familiar with those fabrics, they're gorgeous.  This one is kind of a yucky, mucky brownish color that suits the reproductions in the charm pack perfectly.  You wouldn't believe how old this quilt looks. 

 
Measuring 38" x 40", the pieced strips in RicRac are made entirely of triangles.  I would love to make another version of this quilt, one where just the middle "dark" row of the triangles are scrappy and everything else would be the same fabric, either a solid or a print.  And maybe a version reversing the placement so that the light was on the inside and the dark was on the outside.  Or the rows could be sewn together with light to dark.  But after Paganini and Sweet Spot, I told myself that I was only going to make one version for each pattern... so far, I'm staying strong!

Honeycomb and RicRac were the quilts we did at Winterfest. 

This is Brocante, made from Pom Pom de Paris by French General.  If I didn't already have a quilt named Plan C, that is what I might have called this one.  It is where the #(*[email protected](#(* started.

 
This was not my first plan. 

My first plan had stars, lots of scrappy stars.  But it didn't work.  The red over-powered everything else.  I mean, seriously over-powered everything else.  So after making 32 sets of flying geese and a big pile of half-triangle squares, it was back to the "drawing board".  After thinking about it and really considering what wasn't working about the first plan, I came up with another idea.  The good news is that I still had half a Layer Cake to start over.  Was that the end of my problems?  Not exactly.  I cut 20 red squares and 20 background squares, then happily pieced 40 quarter-triangle squares.  I pressed them and went to square them up... uh oh.  Too small.  I had cut my squares a 1/2" too small. 

Picture Yosemite Sam with a rotary cutter.  Muttering.  Grumbling.  Ornery.  I'm happy to say that I one more Layer Cake that I could raid for the red squares.  And more background fabric.  And more thread.     

But when it was all finished, I had to admit that all the grumbling was worth it.  I really love this quilt.  The pink and the yellow are still pretty and soft but the quilt still has this rosy redness that is just... well, it's just pretty.  (It is so pretty its starting to whisper "bigger"!)  Brocante measures 35" x 35" and it can be made with two charm packs and some background yardage.  I will 'fess up and tell you that I did use a few "extra" red squares salvaged from what would have been my star quilt so that I wouldn't have to use the solid red piece.  I don't have anything against the solids, I just like the prints better. 

This is George.  It is made with the oh-so-yummy Charlevoix by Polly & Laurie -- aka Minick & Simpson. 

 
Seriously, I just want to pick the cherries right off the quilt and make a pie.  No, this isn't named after George Washington.  It is named after Curious George, the monkey.  It is also a variation of the Chunky Monkey block I did for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks issue.  The blocks in this quilt are a little bit bigger, measuring 14" x 14".  With the border, this quilt measures 34" x 34".  Two charm packs and some background yardage.  And yes, there was a little @(*# with this one too.  When I was finishing up with the border, I realized that I had forgotten to put two squares aside for the corner squares.  While I could have cut the necessary squares from the rest of the Layer Cake, I decided to improvise.  

This is Roadshow.  Antique Fair by Blackbird Designs, with one of my favorite old BBD fabrics for the background.

 
Measuring 32" x 32", this is the smallest of the new quilts.  Two charm packs and about 1/2 yard of background fabric is all you need, except Roadshow does come with a couple of options.  Yardage requirements are provided if you would like to use a single fabric for the sashing and/or the border; and if you choose to do that and you've got two charm packs or 80 charm squares, this quilt could be made to measure 40" x 40".   The best thing about this quilt is that it is a very easy block to make.  Really. 

Just so you know, this quilt was not without its @(*#$# too.  I should know better but I was chatting with a friend on the phone while sewing the rows together... big mistake.  Huge!  The "bottom" row was sewn to the "top" and I didn't notice it until after the borders were on and I was taking the quilt to be photographed.  Grrrrrr.  Do you know how long it took me to find my seam ripper?  It was covered in dust... buried in a drawer... okay, maybe not.  It kind of annoyed me that it took me three times as long to take off the borders and remove the row than it did to sew everything back together.  That's just wrong.

And finally, this is Recess.  La Petit Ecole by French General. 

 
Cut it out.  Lay it out.  Start sewing.  When you're done, Recess will measure 34" x 40".  I had planned to make this using a different collection but all the pieces were too close in value and scale, making too much of the top "moosh" together.  I had used this fabric for another small project and really loved how it had turned out so using it for this quilt was an easy switch.  And the fabric is perfect for it -- there is a good variety of color and value, and there is contrast between the pieces with both the print and the color.  Do you know what the best thing about this quilt is?  There aren't any seams to match or points to worry about chopping off!  How cool is that?   

So these are them.

They are already on order at the Fat Quarter Shop and Havasu Quilts.  And United Notions. 

I'm off today to take my car in for a spa day.  Don't laugh but I think the heater is on the fritz and the charger thing doesn't seem to be working.  Then it's work, work, work... if I work really, really hard, I might get to sew this weekend. 

Until tomorrow... really.  I have a funny e-mail to share. 

I know what you're thinking... three days in a row?   

Don't worry.  I won't make a habit of it. 

Comments

[Kristyne]

Despite my deep and abiding love for hexagons, I think Brocante is my fav ... love the pink/red! (Did Rosie make Yosemite Sam wash his mouth out with soap?) ;)

[Carmen]

I love Road Show and Recess and Brocante. OK, I love them all!!

[Linda]

Can't wait to get my hands on every single one of them! Wonderful designs!! I think you can give yourself a BIG pat on the back and go get some pampering!! :-)

[Mary Flynn]

You've done it again! You've sold me on all of em! Your fabric choices for each are spot on perfect making the quilts SPARKLE and delight the senses!!!
I'll take all of them please!!! It was fun seeing you here bunches this week.

[Karin]

I'm sorry, but after three days we are spolied so you really should make this a habit! And you spoiled us rotten by revealing 6 yummy new patterns?! Decisions, decisions! I'm currently working on my 2nd Pick and Choose quilt because my family is fighting over the first one! LOL! But, I'll just put all these new patterns in a hat, close my eyes, and pull one out! They're all fabulous girl! You definitely have the magic touch! I always have to make your quilts bigger though because we all love to snuggle up with them.

[Michele]

Wow! How exciting! I love them al!! The hardest part is going to be picking which one to make first! I just finished Sweet Spot last night and now I'm thinking of more Schnibbles :) Your fabric choices are beautiful! Thanks so much for designing these wonderful patterns! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who does some grumbling while sewing :)

[Amy]

I love Recess, Roadshow and Ric Rac and plan on making them all. I liked how you gave general ideas of the fabric requirements for each of the patterns so that those of us who can't wait to get started can order/buy/shop in our stash and get ready to sew. However, you didn't give any specifics about Recess and I was wondering if you used a jelly roll or a charm pack or what and how much yardage for background. I'm already drooling over on Fat Quater Shop's website, so would love to have the particulars for this one as well. Great job!!

[Amy]

Love the new Schnibbles! Though I thought George was named after Mr. Clooney since Laurie mentioned him last Friday on her blog...

[Sinta Renee]

Bravo Carrie! I was trying to decide which one I like best... but I can't, I love them all. My review: Brocante is beautiful and well worth the grumbleing and pain it took you to get there. HOneycomb- gorgeous and I love the simplicity of George. I think I have a "mistake" quilt that would be perfect for RicRac... a quilt that I had to tear apart and repurpose. Roadshow looks like fun and Recess is just cute as can be!

[Betty in Ky]

Wow, you've been a busy girl! I love them all, but, George is my favorite. I wish I had a teeny bit of your vision.

[Nancy]

Carrie, I love the new designs, every one of them, but then, I haven't met a Scnibble I didn't like! I think my favs are...hmmm, don't have a fav...love em all. Can't wait to hear from you again tomorrow but...3 days in a row! Do you have a temperature hon...feeling alright? Everything okay? Well then...please DO make a habit of it. You always make me smile and that is a wonderful thing to do every single day. Hugs...

[Loris Mills]

Loved Honeycomb and then RicRac but then came Recess. Not sure I can pick a favorite...these are all wonderful! Thank you so much for the post sharing them! I miss so much of what is new..I appreciate you pointing them out to us :-)

[AnnieO]

Wow, who could pick a favorite among these? Congrats on what is sure to be another smashing success with your new wonderful designs. I may favor RicRac a bit more than the others, but am definitely torn!

[Marlene]

I'm speechless. And I'm never speechless. I love them all. If I had to choose one it would be RicRac but they are just wonderful. blessings, marlene

[Michelle]

Oh wow!!! There is no way I could pick just one as a favourite. They are all beautiful!

[Anne D]

They all look great. You did it again!

[Hazle]

*stands to give round of applause* Brava! All so different and yet all so Miss Rosie! Where to start, well, once I've made 'mon ami', and 'x-rated' and 'plan c'!

Recess really catches my eye--there's something about it that i can't put my finger on, but George looks fabby for showcasing favorite prints, and Ric Rac catches my eye as well, and I love hexagons too. (Shut up, H, you're babbling.) ;-) Enjoy your spa time--it's richly deserved!!

[Sandie ~call me crazy]

Just gorgeous~ each and every one! I thought George was for George C too. ;-) Have a great day!

[Ramona Chester]

Fabulous Work Carrie!!! Rosie honey, just cover your little soft fuzzy ears because the results were worth the few discouraging words. I'm proud of Carrie for continuing on because when I get frustrated, I generally just toss everything and start over. I can't wait to add these to my Miss Rosie's collection of patterns!!

[sherri]

You've done it again!!!!! I want to make them all! I'm supposed to be doing my Schnibbles parade post right now, but came over to test the link to your blog...and now I'm sidetracked...because I love them all!!!

[Kim Gammill]

Carrie, you have wow'ed us again. I have a hard time choosing which one to do next. I will just have to do them all. I need to make one wedding, 2 graduation and 2, no 3 baby quilts this year, forgot the newest grandbaby.
Can't wait to get home so I can start pulling fabric. Your patterns always inspire my, keep it up. Just an fyi, my sewing room looks like a tornado hit it. I think it is a prerequisite for a quilter's domain. A messy room is a sign of a creative mind. And you my friend are a genius. Best always

[DebG]

Love them! Worth every bad word! I will have to quit my job to stay home and sew!

[Shelley dionne]

Well, first you see, I was going to pick my favorite, then my next favorite and well, then, you see...they're ALL my favorite lol! It's just like a new box of chocolates..which one do I pick first!:)

[Sunny]

I am in love love love with Brocante! And then there's Recess. Hmmmmm...and George. I guess I'll start with Brocante and work my way down the list. Thanks!

[kathie]

what fun!!! love that ric rac and Recess , and george and roadshow, great fabric choices here :)
so exciting to see your new patterns!
I think you need to send ric rac to me and I will tell you if it looks old or not!
Kathie

[Karen]

Carrie, each of those look like so much fun! Thanks for the preview. My mind is already planning!

[Carmen]

Just wondering if you will be including alternate cutting instructions for using the Fit to be Geese rulers, from now on.

[Karen M]

Wow! What a great new collection of Schnibble quilts. I can't wait to get my hands on those patterns. I'm in love with George, Brocante, and Honeycomb, and Ric Rac too. You do a wonderful job and so does Rosie. I'm sure she names them for you.
Thanks for sharing the new patterns.
Karen M

[Mary]

More fabulous Schnibbles! How do you keep coming up with quilts I just NEED to male?? I also love that they take just a couple charm packs. My favorite--Ric Rac. Love, love,love those precut squares from Prim Gatherings!!

[Monica]

Well you just gone done and did it again...didn't ya?! I love them and can't wait to get my hands on them!

Thanks for sharing Carrie.

[Beatrice]

Ric Rac, Honeycomb and Recess are my favorite trio. But I love all of them and it's always hard to choose.Wonderful job again, Carrie.
Hugs from France.

[Judith]

I just love them all, but I can say that about all of your designs, maybe that is why I have so many of your designs. I am now busy with Eventide and I am totally in love with it.

[Linda P]

I adore them all, however anything RED is the best in my book, and anything Blackbird is drooled on........ guess I would have to see it out of order but don't see right now how the order of row would make too much difference in Roadshow. Great choices of fabbies for all of them.You are waaaay forgiven for not posting, now that I see how busy you were - however I do like the 3 days in row thing, starting tomorrow you can post 3 times again!! LOL!! I'll bet Rosie loved that you were right there sewing and not leaving her home!

[Colleen M]

The patterns are fantastic! I think George is my favorite followed in a close second by Brocante and then Honeycomb. Actually, i love them all. Thanks again for sharing:)

[Brenda]

I like them all but really love Brocante. So beautiful.

[Sandy (Strlady)]

I'm loving them all. Can that be possible? Oi. Of course it can! I especially love how you told us a little about each one and that just makes them even more dear to me. I'll be on look out for these. Thanks for sharing with us!!

[Kathleen Keough]

Love them one and all! Can't wait to get my hands on them to use up some of my overflowing basket of charm packs and layer cakes!

[Stina]

Ohhhhh.... Lovely new Schnibbles... already have one favorite... That I just have to make...:0)
Or maybe there were two more... Lol... Ok ALL..:0)

[Kim]

Applause! Applause! Beautiful new designs! I love every one of them. Your work is always gorgeous, probably because of the way you agonize over every detail, and obviously all the #*[email protected]*%# is working for you, too. :-)

[Sharrieboberry]

Channeling Yosemite Sam? Ha ha! My favorite rant and pharse is "Con-sar-ded Id-jit!" The cartoon doesn't have subtitles so I doubt it would be written that way. But it's fun to say.

[TxGirl]

I love them all but Ric Rac and Recess really grab my eye, it's the graphic appeal

I think there REALLY needs to be a Schnibbles X 2 - II book soon!