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Monday, January 10, 2011

Introducing Scrap-Basket Sensations

This is such an exciting post for me - my friend Kim Brackett is introducing her new book (click on her name to check out her blog)! It's the sequel to "Scrap Basket Surprises" and is due out January 11th. It is with great joy that I get to show you the quilts I made for "Scrap-Basket Sensations". I think it is safe to say that when I met Kim almost 15 years ago, publishing two quilting books was something that never came up during our daily sit and sew time over lunch. Her friendship is one of the true treasures in my life. Thank you Kim for allowing me to contribute to your books, you know what a joy it has been for me.

This first quilt is called "Flowers for Nana Girl" and I think it's my favorite ( although it's really hard to choose LOL). I absolutely love it not only because it's beautiful but because it will always remind me of Nana Girl and how I came to be called that by my granddaughter. Kim tells the story in the book. After picking out the border fabric I chose about 5 pieces to coordinate, bought the yellow background and the green for the leaves. The rest of the fabric all came from my stash.

This next quilt is "Flower Boxes". This picture doesn't even begin to capture how beautiful this quilt is. When I first looked at Kim's choices for her new book, this one just leaped off the page. It's so different from anything I've seen done with 2 1/2" strips! What's even more amazing is that there is only one block for this whole quilt! The pastels in all shades look so pretty when paired with the soft brown.

This quilt makes my heart smile. It looks really old. The main fabric line used was Wicasset but I added quite a bit of my stash including the outer border, the back and the binding. There's a big feather design in the border and the whole thing looks old and well-loved. It's definitely a cuddle quilt.

The last one is called "Northern Comfort". The warm blues, browns, reds and greens are 100% within my comfort zone. For years, my quilts looked just like this and so instead of calling it Southern Comfort I chose Northern since I'm originally from New York. This quilt primarily uses fabric from the Vine Creek line with very little from my stash.

I can't wait for you all to get your own copy of this wonderful book. The thing I love about Kim's books is that while they are all made from 2 1/2" strips, they all are designed to use random fabrics from your own stash so they have a true scrappy feel. But they still look good done with precuts.


In addition to my quilts, Kim asked Mary from Quilt Hollow and Darlene from Quilting Daze to make quilts for the books. Check out their blogs to see what they have to say. The 4 of us have had such fun over the past year. I hope that we all get to meet someday. Because of our blogs, we all feel like we have become friends.


Be sure to keep looking for details for the upcoming Book Blog Tour! You can win your own copy of Kim's new book.


Until next time, make something beautiful.
-Karen

25 comments:

Vivian said...

The quilts you made for Kim's new book are all wonderful examples of her unique, fresh designs using 2-1/2" strips. I'll be getting this book for sure, to join her first book in my library. (or maybe I'll win a copy)

Anonymous said...

Love the quilts you made for Kim! Isn't it fun to finally be able to speak about it?

Darlene said...

Beautiful quilts, Karen. It's my pleasure to be in such good company.

Terry said...

Beautiful quilts! I think I may just have to get my hands on this new book! :0)

Nicole said...

Your quilts are just gorgeous! How proud you must be to have been such a huge help to her, along with the other two gals. Congratulations to all of you! Now I am going to go order my book!

Sherri said...

What beautiful quilts you made for Kim's book!

AnnieO said...

How terrific all of these are! Congrats on your stunt sewing. So hard to pick a favorite among these. Kim has a great designers brain. I'm making a Kitchen Sink quilt from her first book right now. Can't wait to get the second book!

annieb said...

what beautiful quilts! I am going to order my book today.

Quilter Kathy said...

Gorgeous quilts! I couldn't even pick a favorite from these...they're all great! Can't wait to see the book!

Unknown said...

Beautiful quilts! Can't wait to get my hands on the book!

Nancy E

Carrie P. said...

Congrats! that is so exciting.

Wendy P said...

You did such a great job on the quilts! How fun to make them for publishing!

I am looking forward to the upcoming class. Just wish I knew which one is planned! I don't suppose you are going?

Carol said...

What great quilts! I'm going to get that book!

Kim Brackett said...

Thanks so much for sharing the quilts, and for everything else you've done to make the book a possibility. I really miss our lunch time sewing!

Kim said...

Your quilts inspire me to give Kim's book a look. Wonderful work and it must be such fun to be a part of creating a book for quilters who love making quilts from scraps!

Janet said...

Your quilts are wonderful, congratulations, what a wonderful opportunity.

Allyson said...

Beautiful quilts. I am loving the designs I'm seeing form this book so far. So fresh and new!

QuiltSue said...

More stunning quilt designs from Kim, beautifully interpreted by you. I love your fabric choices for all of them.

Wendy said...

I'm in love!! Those quilts are gorgeous!! So going to have to buy the book now!! I've seen Mary's and Darlene's samples, and now yours. .... I'm off to Kim's blog now :) Congratulations and thanks for sharing!!

Anonymous said...

The book looks wonderful, can't wait to get my hands on one, the quilts are all so lovely, it will be hard to decide which one to make first!
Wendy

Unknown said...

congrats to you too...it is the talk of the quilting world..sew proud of all of you...and to think...I actually am aware of you ladies ....how touching to my heart

Becky said...

Karen, they are all beautiful. I don't have either of her books but I am going to get them for sure! Wonderful job. How on earth do you make so many so fast! You are amazing :)

Karen said...

I gave my sister Kim's first book for Christmas and was excited when I saw the second book. Even more excited when I discovered you played a part in it. Your quilts are beautiful Karen! I must order the second book for my sister.

Carla said...

Karen, somehow I missed this post from a few days ago! The quilts a beautiful! I especially like the first two. Congrats on being part of this great project...you are such a secret keeper!!

Angie said...

Karen, this is a double treat! I stumbled upon your blog while following links about Kim's new book. I was thrilled to find a buddy from "back in the day" when I was a member of the PQG! Love your quilts from the new Scrap-Basket book and I look forward to following your quilting adventures through your blog!