Crochet a Zoo! - Guest Post by Megan Kreiner

Today I'd like to introduce you to Megan.  Megan is the author of "Crochet a Zoo" an amazing new crochet book just released.  Megan & I met through my brother before either of us had released our books!

With that... here is a guest post from Megan!

-Julie

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Penguins!

Hello! My name is Megan Kreiner and I am the author of the book "Crochet a Zoo". Chances are that if you quilt you probably have at least 1 or 2 (or 20) more very cool skills up your sleeve when it comes to creating amazing handmade objects and gifts. Perhaps you are a knitting-quilter, a sewing-baker, or a costume making-graphic artist. Personally, I like to peg myself as a knitting-baking-crocheter with quilting tendencies :)

Seals!

I was really excited when Julie invited me to put together a post to introduce my book “Crochet a Zoo” to the readers of her Jaybird Quilts Blog. I'm a big fan of Julie's work and was super excited to find out that Julie's "Skip the Borders" book was being released by the same publisher that gave me the green light for "Crochet a Zoo". This little coincidence came to light when I was discussing my upcoming book with my supervisor at DreamWorks Animation (who just happens to Brad, Julie's brother - small world right?).

Panda!

Crochet a Zoo features 16 adorable and fairly quick to make zoo animal and zoo keeper patterns. There’s even a few sewing details and extras included for those who like a little skill set cross over. There’s a robust basics section in the beginning with lots of pictures and plenty of illustrated assembly instructions. If you're looking to try something new, this book could be a great excuse to make the jump into yarn-related crafts.

Walrus!

If you’ve ever wanted to try out crochet or would like a book of quick gifts ideas you can put together in a pinch, then I encourage you to check out my book “Crochet a Zoo” on Amazon. And, for bonus patterns and additional resources, please visit www.mkcrochet.com! Happy Crocheting!

Grizzly & Polar Bears!

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To order a copy of Crochet a Zoo visit Megan's site, Amazon, or ask for it at your local shop!

You can find Megan on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook & More!

Megan was awesome and came out to my Skip the Borders book signing & release party at Sew Modern last year. Here are a few photos that Brad, my brother & Megan's supervisor, snapped of us! 

I hope you have enjoyed this peek into Megan's new book!



© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Happy-Go-Lucky Table Setting

I have a cute little project called Happy-Go-Lucky Table Setting that is featured in the Summer issue of Quilts & More magazine. The project is a part of their "Scrap Lap" feature. I was given the challenge of using just 6 Fat Eights and 1/2 Yard of a neutral to make a project. The fabrics are from the Textured Basics collection by Patty Young for Michael Miller Fabrics.

Check out the Summer issue to see the pillow that Patty Young made and the wall hanging that Carrie Nelson created!

Here is my Table Setting!

I made it using my Hex N More Ruler.

Used with permission from Quilts and More® 2013 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 

The coaster is big & can double as a Mug Rug.

The napkin features a scrappy bias binding!

...and the best part is that my directions are a free bonus posted to allpeoplequilt.com

Used with permission from Quilts and More® 2013 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 

Here is the cover of the magazine. You can see a peek at Patty's pillow in the top right!

Used with permission from Quilts and More® 2013 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Make it Right Challenge... and giveaway!

disclosure: this is a sponsored giveaway by Angela Walters & Art Gallery Fabrics

Have you heard about the Make it Right Challenge?

Read more about the challenge on Angela's Blog & Art Gallery's Blog.

Want to win a Panel to get started?

My panel and fabrics... I'm going to start playing today!

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The Rules

1. Leave ONE comment to enter. Make sure your contact info is in your profile or that you leave it in the comment.

2. In your comment tell me how you know about Angela!

Example Comments:

I took Angela's Craftsy Class.

I follow Machine Quilting by Angela on Facebook.

I read Angela's book, Free-Motion Quilting.

I learned about Angela from her fabric line, Textures!

3. Simple as that!!

You have till 9PM PST on Friday the 26th to enter.

Giveaway Now Closed. 

Winners will be selected by True Random Number Generator.
Our winner is... B Greene! Please contact me with your info!

© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Block Party with Quiltmaker Recap

A few weeks ago I traveled to Portland, to teach at Block Party with Quiltmaker Magazine.

After checking the weather I packed lots of layers!

We spotted a double rainbow during dinner the first night!

Bonnie Hunter kicked things off with a lecture about her method of keeping and organizing scraps.

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Thursday was a workshop on my Hex N More Ruler.

I started off class by revealing Snack Time to the class at the same time that I revealed it to all of you on my blog. 

We went over how to use the Hex N More ruler and the 4 shapes.

Then students got to work on making 2 sample blocks inspired by blocks from Toes in the Sand. This gave them a chance to practice cutting and piecing all 4 shapes.

Student Blocks!

During class we cut a lot of fabric & had a lot of scraps. We decided to make a gift bag of scraps for Bonnie Hunter, the scrap Queen!

At the end of class we took a field trip to Bonnie's classroom and presented her with the gift bag!

The Class

Jill had already made Jawbreaker and brought it to show. It was hard to not steal it from her!!

Students showing off their work at Show & Tell. During the second part of class students began working on a quilt with the ruler. You can see the start of Northern Lights here.

...and the start of Lotus blocks here.

Denise finished her Science Fair quilt top on Friday and brought it back to show us on Saturday!

She used Authentic which was Sweetwater's first fabric line. Now I wish I still had some of this line to use!!

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Friday was Three in a Box. We had a small, but mighty class of 5 students.

Three in a Box - JBQ 121

As students began to finish their blocks we put them on my design wall for display.

Chain piecing makes for quick construction.

We outgrew the design wall and started "growing" out quilt out on the floor.

...and growing

We took a break to admire the beautiful rainbow outside.

Unfortunately opening the doors behind the design wall allowed the wind to knock it down!

We recovered and continued to "grow" our quilt.

By the end of the day we had 47 blocks done... and I couldn't get them in one photo!

Blocks at show & tell.

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Saturday brought a packed house for Boxed In. Boxed in was originally a block I designed for the second volume of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Issue. I then turned it into a quilt and included it in my book, Skip the Borders.

I gave students the option of bringing more than 2 "sashing" fabric options to class. This way we could "audition" the fabrics and pick which two worked best together. 

We used digital cameras & cell phones to capture pictures and help us decide. Here are a bunch of the "auditions" from class.

Once students had decided on sashing fabrics they started making blocks.

Our collection of blocks grew throughout the day.

Since class Christine has finished her quilt top!

It was a great class & a great event.

If you finish your projects from class... or if you have made any of my patterns please post photos in our Flickr Show & Tell group.

© Blog post written by Julie Herman © Photos by Julie Herman, Quiltmaker Magazine & Students.
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/