The Emerald Coast is located in the Panhandle of Florida (we call it Florida's Great Northwest). The emerald waters and the sugar white sand beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world!
Looking at this water was a definite influence in the creation of my block! So let's continue the tour!
My studio (otherwise known as the C.A.T. House because that's where my kitties lived before they got their own condo) is still the C.A.T. House (Creative Arts & Textiles) and this is where I design, cut, stitch, piece and quilt. So please join me there!
I had some lovely Hoffman Bali Handprints (1895 Fabric Collection) and they were just begging to be used. I am sure you have had the same experience with certain fabrics. Well anyway, the light blue fabric had movement and reminded me of the gulf waters meeting the sky.
I started playing around with the colors and different design ideas and decided upon half square triangles or HSTs as they are also called. HSTs can be used in so many fun ways for some really unique designs!
Continuing to group and regroup the different fabrics, I finally came up with the block combination and here it is:
I call it "Wind Surfing" as it reminds me of all the sails on the water which are seen often in my part of the world! No, I don't wind surf. I prefer a boat that stays on the water or a scuba tank. This block is #367 and is located on page 51 in The Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4! But that is not all.
There is also a picture of a completed quilt in the Design Gallery of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4 and it is Quilt #21 on page 92. I did the cutting, the piecing and the stitching of the quilt top. It was machine quilted by June Bauman of June Bug Quilting.
The tour is almost over and I hope you have enjoyed it, but don't rush away just yet! Please leave me a comment and your name will be automatically entered in a random drawing for a chance to win an issue of the Quiltmaker's 100 Block Volume 4 magazine - I will be giving away 2 copies! But wait, there is more!
You will also have a chance to win one of my quilt patterns. As this is Florida, 2 of the lucky tour group members will receive my "Horse of a Different Color" pattern which was seen on QNNtv.com in August!
So please let me hear from you and when you comment don't forget to follow me! You can tell by my company name that I am an animal lover. Infact Purrfect Spots got started all because of a stray cat!
I will be telling that story soon so Ya'll come back!
I hope you have enjoyed your tour and thank you for visiting. Be sure to check out the other blocks on the tour. You can click on the Purple Button in the left corner of my blog to continue your tour!
Nan
PS - Be sure and check out my website at PURRFECT SPOTS.
I like the effect of turning your block to make a quilt. They really look like they are waving. Sign me up to win a copy of Vol 4, please.
ReplyDeleteLove your block. Congrats on being included in the new 100 Blocks mag. The seahorses quilt is so cute. Thanks for the chance to win. I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteYour block and your seahorse quilt are lovely! Your bright color choices make me smile.
ReplyDeleteI love your design - congrats! Enjoyed your blog and am following now. I love the Florida pattern - would be perfect for me to make for my sister who lives there. thanks for the fun!
ReplyDeletebutler83ataoldotcom
Hi Nan,
ReplyDeleteWind Surfing is a great block! It kind of reminds me of a candle flame, too. Congratulations on being published in 100 Blocks.
You live in a lovely part of the world. Lucky you.
We have kitties, too. And that got started by a stray my husband affectionately called Fleabag. That was about 20 years ago, and we have taken in unwanted kitties a few at a time ever since.
ReplyDeleteLOVE how the block creates movement as you join them together.....love the back as much as the front :o) Congrats on being included in such a cool magazine! Thank you for your generous give away.
ReplyDeleteYou really do have a fun blocks. I do so want to make this quilt. I also am a cat lover. Her name is Shadow. I would love to win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 4 for myself. I just love your blog.
ReplyDeletesandit1@sbcglobal.net
I LOVE the block you designed and what can be done with it. I'd love to win a copy of that pattern, the seahorses are wonderful. Thanks for the beach pictures, it looks like a lovely place to be. I'm going to Florida for Christmas and hope to spend some time at the beach.
ReplyDeleteI love your block!!! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteYour block is very interesting. So many options, and I love batiks! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful block and it will make a great quilt.. thank you so much
ReplyDeleteYour block is fascinating to me! Thanks for sharing your inspiration and design process as well.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I stitch and quilt for World of Charity Stitching and we create quilts using fabric and cross stitching blocks. Liked your website too!
ReplyDeleteI love the name of your studio. The block looks very vibrant. I love the illusion of curves. Congrats on making it into the magazine!
ReplyDeleteReally neat block. Simple, but still very impressive in a bigger setting too.
ReplyDeleteYour block design is very versatile. Lots of options with this one! Great !! Having grown up by the sea....it rings with me!
ReplyDeleteThis will make a great Quilts for Kids project. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love all the movement in your block! Also, it looks like it would be very easy to piece. That's my kind of block, LOL!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and being a scuba diver as well as a quilter, I can appreciate the seahorse quilt pattern. They are very elusive underwater :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win!
Very pretty and neat idea! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures of the ocean look so warm and inviting (as I live in the land of cold and snow!)
ReplyDeleteLove batiks so I'm instantly drawn to your block and the look of the whole quilt.
I am really drawn to your Wind Surfing block. The colors are perfect, and, of course, they reflect the colors found on the waters of the Gulf.
ReplyDeleteLinda in Southern Illinois
I love the movement in your block, like the waves of the ocean. Thank you for a great giveaway! Kd
ReplyDeleteOoooh, your block feels like summer up here in cold and windy Chicago. A lovely block. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGreat block--love all the movement in it, and seeing it all put together into a quilt. I love the water, and love hearing the story behind your block.
ReplyDeleteCheryl sent me here to check your blog out. She knows about me and cats. I am the proud foster Mom of 95 cats and kittens (luckily not all at once). The shelter has just blessed me with 4 more orphans (Candy, Cookie, Sparkle, and Mei Ling).
ReplyDeleteIn my spare time I quilt, and I would love a copy of you horsey pattern. Seahorses have always fascinated me.
I love the possibilities that your block has to offer. I've been to the west coast of FL but never the Panhandle...my mother lives in Sarasota. I hope for a bit of beach time there after the new year.
ReplyDeleteI love all the possibilities that your block has to offer. Congratulations on being in the magazine.
ReplyDeleteI saw your block on a different blog and felt its movement and life! I will probably make a quilt with it when I get the magazine-your sea horses are also wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBev Gunn
kwiltpharm@aol.com
I love your patterns and use of batiks!
ReplyDeleteSue at bbr10629@netzero.com Great block When piecced together they really seem to wave and the bright colors lift one's spirit as days are starting to get shorter.
ReplyDeleteI share your love for the animals too..we adopted a rescued bird into our family 10 years ago and love her to bits so I am looking forward to reading your story. The seahorse theme is lovely and is a favorite too.
ReplyDeletenope, it did not work, let's try again - still wish i was in Florida - or maybe Florida would come to Virginia - scarlette shobbs@vcu.edu
ReplyDeleteYour Wind Surfing block is so bright and cheerful! I liked learning about your design process. Thanks for the great giveaway! tkmattson@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteGorgeous coast! I love your block! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love your block, it is really lovely and thanks for the chance to win one of the books. Hugs Vicki x
ReplyDeleteWonderful block and I love how the quilt made from the block has so much movement. Your cause is near and dear to my heart as I often remind my blog readers to make sure they have a disaster plan that includes their pets!
ReplyDeleteYour windsurfing block is great. I bet it would make a wonderful scrappy quilt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great block. So different from the others. I love how it looks when many blocks are sewn together. Thanks for a little slice of Florida!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun block! Love it! And the seahorses are so cut too!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this block and the quilt. Great colors and movement. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteVery cool block...
ReplyDeletenhsarab at yahoo dot com
love the vibrant colors! enjoyed visiting your blog.
ReplyDeleteYour Wind Surfing block is great! I live on the Pacific coast and love to watch the wind surfers.
ReplyDeletelooking forward to hearing more stories about the animals! your block is fabulous!
ReplyDeletetamkrumwiede at hotmail dot com
What a super looking quilt Nan. Love to see how the creative mind works. Love your block. I love going on blog tours as I always find some new creative and inspiring people to follow. I'm a new follower and looking forward to going back through your blog to see what I've been missing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the Emerald Coast. We always vacation there. There is just nothing like that sand or water.
ReplyDeleteI love your block. I lived in Fl for 11 years on the East coast and definitely see the ocean's influence in your work.
ReplyDeletelove the WIND SURFER! I'm a follower
ReplyDeleteI've never been to the FL coast, but your quilt reminds me of all the wind-catchers and kites that I see at the Oregon coast. I really like how you've caught a feeling of motion and blowing in the wind.
ReplyDeleteI really love your block & it makes up into a fantastic quilt! I'm going to be a follower as I love bright colorful quilts & that seems to be what you do! Love your seahorse quilt too.
ReplyDeleteYour block does remind me of wind surfers, wonderfully done!
ReplyDeleteCute designs! I'm a cat lover so I adore the name of your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the colors and movement of the block--so versatile, esp. for kids. The seahorses are also fantastic!! I also enjoy your blog....:-) I'll be back!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid I always dreamed of owning seahorses...I was fascinated with them. Love your block motto/name...so sweet. I've become a follower. I hope you get a chance to visit me too!
ReplyDeleteI love your block and how it comes together in your quilt. Lovely quilt with the seahorses too.
ReplyDeleteWe have wind surfers in Michigan, too! I love the movement and happy colors! I am Candy Soehren at cls47@prodigy.net
ReplyDeleteHi Nan! What a pleasure it is to meet you and poke about on your blog :o) Thanks for the chance to win...it very nice of you all to go to all this work for us.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time visiting your blog, and I found that I love your quilts! I'd love to make the seahorse quilt for one of my nieces. Where can I get the pattern? Thanks for sharing your talents with us!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being selected and published in the QM 100 Blocks. Like your wind surfing block and thanks for the examples. This Florida quilter would love to win the giveaway. Thanks for that chance. MarciaFlorida alternate email mlwright29(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThat's a great block with a beach feeling. The quilt looks beautiful. Love your dogs in the opening.
ReplyDeleteLove this design,it would make a good math lesson about tessellations!
ReplyDeleteOh, I LOVE those pics of the Florida coast! Gorgeous! I can almost feel the sand in my toes! Love your block! Congrats on being in the issue!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to follow your story. Your quilt block makes a neat quilt.
ReplyDeletethis is a great block - love the movement it creates!!!
ReplyDeleteOur daughter lives in Pensacola, FL. I love the white sand beaches there. I love your unique wind surfing quilt. I'd love to win a copy of Volume 4. You are a new website and blog for me. One of the reasons I look forward to the blog tour is meeting new quilters.
ReplyDeleteI make quilts for children in need and your Wind Surfing quilt would be purr-fect (oops! couldn't help myself). Your block is wonderful in bright colors. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book.
ReplyDeleteFrom one animal lover to another, great block. So simple but what a wonderful design it creates. I would love to win a copy of the magazine so I could try this block idea for a charity quilt. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOn Quiltmakers post today your "Wind Surfing" is the one that caught my eye. I really love that block you've created.
ReplyDeleteI have a great love of animals too. I've got a Ragdoll we drove two states away to buy and he's the most awesome cat I've ever owned. If my legs weren't so bad, I'd have a dog too since they like to play more than a cat does. I just can't take a dog outside as often as they'd need to so no dogs for me. My Grandpuppies come to visit though and they love coming to visit.
Love the block.
ReplyDeleteLove your name and am a fellow cat lover who seems to be adopted by strays, lol. Beautiful block with lots of possibilities. My bathroom has a mermaid theme, so love seeing new patterns with sea themes.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Love animals and quilts. Your block is very fun and the colors just seem to hover on the blue. Thanks for shaing a chance at winning your patterns. When I saw the sea horses it reminded me when I was little wanted sea horse pets .
ReplyDeleteLove the block. Love my cat too!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun quilt! My grandparents lived in Hawaii for years and when I saw your quilt name I thought of them. They didn't wind surf but we saw lots of people that did. I love your seahorse quilt as well. Thanks for a chance to win.(I'm a new follower as well)
ReplyDeletemissmoozie(at)gmail(dot)com
I like your block design. It is so bright and cheery.
ReplyDeleteYour block is fun. Can't wait to try it in other colors.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a chance to win extras.
Very beach-y block--and with lots of possibilities.
ReplyDeleteI love your beach!! I have only ever seen the Pacific Ocean. I love your block. I like all of the different things you can do with it. Your sea horses are so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI love bright colors and the motion in your block. We have 2 shelter dogs right now, the latest ones out of many. I can't resist them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great block!! I love the movement when it is put all together and turned :) A great block to make in the dead of winter when it's hard to think of warm breezes ever returning!
ReplyDeleteI love animal lovers! Love your block!
ReplyDeleteLove your Wind Surfing block! Thanks for sharing with us in Vol. 4.
ReplyDeleteI love the bright colours you've used and your seahorses quilt is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love your block! The colors are so vivid! Great! Congrats on being in the 100 Block issue!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being selected to be in 100 Blocks! I'm so glad you care so much about animals and use your talents to help them. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the seahorse quilt too.
Congrats on being in the mag! Your block is great I can see it in a # of different fabrics in my mind. THis is one I will be making for sure!
ReplyDeleteI love all critters, too! Your block looks just like the wind flowing through the sails! Love the colors!!
ReplyDelete