Fun Mini Blog Hop with Kimberly Einmo
This is the combo I’ve made with Kimberly Einmo, a great new friend and fellow Craftsy instructor. We “met” during a Craftsy webinar and decided to work together on this blog hop project.
Kimberly pieced the top and definitely click here to check out her blog and get the details on how she put this cool block together!
If the pattern looks familiar it’s the Variable Pinwheel Lone Star bonus design from her class Magical Quilt Blocks Out of the Box.
I love this class because it shows how many blocks you can create from simple elements: half square triangles, diamonds, flying geese and more, and you can put them all together to make a fantastic quilt in the end!
So Kimberly sent me the quilt and I decided to be adventurous! I wanted to experiment and do wild fun things with this quilt! The star was easy enough to knock out with diamonds and triangles quilted over the star points and dense designs from my class Free Motion Fillers Volume 2 stitched over to fill in the backgrounds with texture.
I love to have tons of open space to play with different quilting designs and the background for this block was just perfect. Rather than test out a few ideas, I jumped in with my first brilliant idea – ripples of water like the star has just been plunged into the ocean.
I also decided to trapunto the quilt so the ripply water effects would stand out even more against the denser quilted background. The picture above is the back side of the quilt after I’ve stitched and clipped the trapunto – pretty puffy eh? You can learn this awesome Trapunto technique in Patsy Thompson’s class Ultimate Free Motion Quilting.
Needless to say, I soon came to an abrupt stop when I stepped back from the quilt and….what?…no!….WHAT HAVE I DONE?!
Kimberly emailed me around this time just checking on the progress. Um? Sorry – I’ve RUINED IT!
I was too far in to rip so I had to go with it and admit I wasn’t completely happy with my choices. Fortunately Kimberly was not only super accepting of my design, she also found it funny! She said she had questioned her fabric choices too, so really we were both rather unhappy with the quilt.
We debated through various emails whether to start all over with a new color combo and a less..um…biological design…
Eventually we both hit the brick wall known as the FALL and multiple deadlines, back to school stuff, appointments, and catastrophes fell our way. Recreating this whole project just to make it “perfect” was not an option. We had to be happy with the quilt as it was.
Ultimately I think this is a great lesson – I’m not perfect, and I don’t make perfect choices every time. I make guesses, fly in too fast, and sometimes end up with less-than-perfect results. My thread color was the biggest problem on the quilt – it blended too closely with the fabric color in the center star and didn’t provide enough contrast to make the star pop.
Another lesson learned – when you want to accent the piecing, try not to blend with it!
Fortunately as more quilting filled the background, the little wiggly shapes looked less and less like sperm and more like the ripples in water I’d originally envisioned:
Now that it’s finished, I LOVE this little quilt and the testament to learning, friendship, and adventure it contains!
The best thing about this project? It wouldn’t have happened without Craftsy, the awesome online learning platform which connects quilting instructors to students around the world and around the clock.
In honor of our first joint project, Kimberly and I have decided to give away one Craftsy class of your choice. Simply comment on my blog, then click here and comment on Kimberly’s blog to be entered to win!
We will pick the winners Tuesday, November 4th and send the free class links via email.
Sorry! This giveaway is over, but we’ve had a great response so we will definitely be doing this again!
And just in case you don’t win the free class, you can still save 50% on all of Kimberly’s classes listed below:
And of course, I have to finish up with a Casual Cam Quilting video so you can see the quilt in person:
Let’s go quilt!
Leah Day
Leah and Kimberely are wonderful teachers! Craftsy has been and will continue to be my only online learning experience. As a busy mom of eight (5 of mine, plus 3 bonus kids) and a grand baby on the way, I find it hard, no impossible, to take quilting classes in a LQS. Kimberely has taught me to piece my quilts and Leah has taught me to let my imagination turn to thread. Thank you, to you both.
Lovely quilt and great giveaway. Love Craftsy classes.
I love this top and his colors. The quilting is beautiful and I love the idea of the star shining in the water. But when I try this I will quilt it with white yarn. Must be fun working together this way. The result is a beauty.
A great project with exquisite quilting; it's perfect, sperm or not!
I actually love this, love how it takes a very straight line geometric pattern (lovely on its own) and adds a very organic (biologic?) effect to it all. I am not sure a different thread color would be better, just a very different overall look. I personally have learned to love mistakes – they can lead in very unexpected looks!
It is always interesting how sometimes when you look at something from a distance you see something else. I'm still not brave enough to do something out of the blue. I often have to mull things over for a long time, but I am learning to be better. I'm also learning that I don't need to know what I am doing everywhere, just need to start. Since I use a domestic machine I can just change a project if I am stuck on something, then come back to it later.
I can't tell you Leah, just how all your hard work, as helped this excited Texas quilter. I've been watching your videos for about a week now, and you have given me the courage to try free motion quilting. Well, after some practice….I'M DOING IT!! I'm actually producing decent work and I look forward everyday to get to my machine and see what other LEAH IDEAS I can produce! I thank you for all your work in producing the videos and projects. Thank you…..THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Tears here, now I'm even dreaming about free motion quilting. You're a love!!
Oh, this made me laugh so hard… But I really didn't see what you were talking about at first. I had to really look to see "the sperm"…. Then I cracked up. I don't think that's what people will notice when they look at it, to me it really looked like the star floating/partially submerged in water.
Ha! I love that you've shared this. All the women in my Tuesday quilting group think everything I make is wonderful – the truth is, I don't share the stuff I don't love. Glad to see that the two of you went forward in the process. It's a beautiful quilt!
Beautiful! You look at things with a totally different point of view. Such a fresh new outlook – wonderful.
Hey, Leah! It's totally OK — you can experiment on my quilts ANYTIME!!!!
Love ya!
Kimberly
I think the quilting is beautiful. Remember you always say to have fun and dont stress about it. I love it.
Making lemonade from lemons! I love it,
I wouldn't have even *noticed* sperm if you hadn't said that…and I was a family planning nurse for *years*! I'm intrigued with looking at the trapunto in the design. great work – both of you!
I think the little quilt turned out well but you two are too funny. I love Kimberly's sign about fondling fabric! Thanks for the chance to win a class.
My first class I took was on Craftsy with you, and I continue to enjoy your blog! When asked at guild meetings how I learned I refer them to your blog, your books and classes! Thanks for all you do!
Thanks Leah for this post! Kimberly will be visiting our guild next month! Any chance she will have this quilt with her?
So funny…thanks for your transparency! I think I've "ruined" nearly every quilt I make…only to eventually love 'em!
I an a total Craftsy addict. I love both yours and Kimberly's classes.
Nice to know others have bloopers on their quilts, too!
Wow! Who would have Thunk the two of you together would turn out such an interesting quilt. Love both of your styles and together you are awesome. Thanks for the chance to win a class.
Lovely to see the process involved in a quilt collaboration! I think the time invested in making a quilt sometimes gets in the way of having fun with letting it evolve. I'm often unable to make decisions about how to move forwards with a quilt for fear of 'spoiling' it. And of course it's good to step back and look at the whole from time to time – it's easy to be over critical close-up at the machine. Thank you for showing how you worked through to the end of this project!
Allison UK
Hi Leah,
I'm really happy that you share your 'mistakes' with us. They always seem to come out just fine. Can't learn without experimenting, right? Your posts give me confidence to keep trying my own experiments. Love the new informal videos too!
What a neat idea to work together with another blogger!
Fantastic quilting as always!!! What a fun quilt.
I like the way this quilt turned out and I LOVE the way you share the process!
I like the quilt. It's a learning experience, accept that, and go from there. In the end it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks as long as you're happy and Kimberly is happy.
Isn't the saying "Finished is better than perfect"? Well, I think if you're happy with it and Kimberly is happy with it then that's all that matters. It looks terrific, by the way. I've taken several Craftsy classes and love them.
I'll let you experiment anytime on one of my quilts. I think it looks great.
I enjoy Crafty's classes and have improved on my sewing and quilting skills. I have enjoyed your blog and thanks for the giveaway.
Whoops! I guess you stopped too soon. It was good you kept going, too. I love the colors, but less busy fabrics and the matching blue thread: I do agree with you. 🙂 no worries, like you said. I love stars and that would be a fun star to add to my repertoire. And Kimberly's Magical Jelly Roll is on my wish list !
reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com
The quilt appeals to me! Both patchwork and fmq. I think the natural feel of the fmq gives life to the block layout. Nice job ladies
Hi Leah, thanks for sharing. I find it great fun to work on projects with others. I am enjoying your free motion filler Vol 1 Craftsy class now. Thank you for all the inspiration, guidance and encouragement you share with all of us. I enjoy your blog tho sometimes I feel like a stalker. There is just something calming to me to listen to the lessons. You are much appreciated!
You really made my day with this story !
I quite like the "spermy" quilted star quilt. Thanks for the nice giveaway.
What a lovely sampler quilt that isn't a typical sampler quilt at all. The mini is really cute and could be made from any of the stars. Lots of possibilities – what more could a quilter ask for!
Love the story! You and Kimberly are two of my faves, so it is a delight to see you designing together.
Leah, just a little thanks for empowering me to fmq! Right now I have Kimberly's Magical Blocks quilt finished and have begun quilting it with inspiration from your classes and blog. Thank you!
It's good know you struggle as well with choices… Thanks so much for all your sharing.
You made me laugh out loud- the spermy quilt lol… Love it!
Wow! Love this!!
I think the quilt looks lovely despite your little mishap in quilting shapes!! I am pleased to hear of Kimberly Einmo. I confess I had not heard of her before and am looking forward to trying some of her classes. I love the fact that Craftsy has so many classes to choose from!! Keep them coming!!
I can't tell if my previous comment disappeared or what, so I'll say again that I like Craftsy classes and thanks for the giveaway.
Sometimes our "bad" choices provide the inspiration needed by someone else. Your sperm/water design is precisely the idea I needed to for the "expanding universe" art quilt I'm planning. I may be a bit "new age" (okay… a lot) but I think that we're all connected in ways large and small and most we'll never know about. So Leah, today I connected with you and I'm truly grateful. Thank you for sharing!
Your quilting is cool looking. Love craftsy classes.
Fun and fresh looking!
Would love to win a Crafty Class
The quilt came out great! I love Craftsy. I've learned so much from the classes I've bought. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love all the great Craftsy classes! Your quilt is beautiful!
I've long been staring at your picture and have not seen the sperm … until it has almost jumped me 😀
I love blog hops, I find new-to-me quilters and new inspirations. Thanks for sharing your trepidation and disappointments.
I am new to quilting I just recently discovered your free motion tutorials. I really appreciate your ease in instruction. I have been practicing stippling, thought it would be a good place to start and am quite pleased with the results. I am enjoying your videos and this one in particular. Humor is always appreciated. This is also my first visit to your blog. I do love the way this is quilted. I see what you mean about the sperm but had to look after you mentioned it, it isn't obvious. Fun!
Very cool. From you and Kimberly through Craftsy classes and your blogs we have learned to go with the flow and be creative. You both did just that with this beautiful quilt. The two of you I see as any easy match up in this creative world and of course as great instructors with Craftsy. I love Craftsy and all they offer. A free class would be awesome. Good luck to all.
Just love what you and Kimberly have created!! It is refreshing to hear that you have doubts and worries, just like the rest of us. Love Craftsy and now have a new blog to follow, when will I have enough time to try all the patterns and designs that you both come up with??? Thank you Leah and Kimberly
I am sorry to agree that it does look like sperm. Oops.
looks like a fun class
I think it look good as it is. The first craftsy class I bought was your FMQ a sampler quilt, and I always try to remind myself, that it's ok to make mistakes and that I won't learn anything from ripping it out.
jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com
I love your quilt,,,and Kimberly? What can one say? What a talent she is! I must admit “quilt sperm” was my instant thought too! Thanks for the chance to win.
Would loooove to live close to both of you ladies!!! AWESOME quilting! Looove your creative ways!
I would love to win a free Craftsy class. I have purchased many and also have some on my wishlist! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Lovely quilt, with exquisite quilting! What a duo you make!
I am a big fan of Craftsy classes, and I'm always "up" for the next challenge.
hahaha! I think it's totally worth it to make a funny quilt once in a while! I like your collaboration! 😀
I would love to win this class, I've been wanting to take this! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
Love the quilt. And loved learning that even master quilters get surprised. And that it turns out great! Thank you for sharing and inspiring. You have a fantastic teaching style.
Congratulations Diane! You've won the free class!
That's pretty funny. So glad to know even the pro's run into issues now and then. Thanks for being so willing to share those moments too.
I think it was a great lesson learned and still wonderful to look at. Thank you for teaching us all and offering a great chance to win =)
I feel that experimenting with free motion quilting liberates my creative side. I pieced four placemats two months ago and did not like the colors and fabrics I choose. I put them aside and began machine quilting them this week. Guess what? I like them now with the quilting so much better than before. Creativity is wonderful!
Elaine
I love the story that comes with the quilt! Makes it worth making….just imagine if you have never met…
Keep up the great work.
Well…without sperm we wouldn't be here and able to make quilts. Big laugh to read and start my day..unfortunately neglected house cleaning. Been too busy quilting.
Thank you for introducing us to Kimberlys classes. I love Craftsy. And thank you for making FMQ fun. Your honestly gives me courage to just go with it!
#fertility quilt
Just add a few eggs amongst the sperm for the new trend…. just the gift for every newly married couple!
Rosemary B here:
Hello Leah. As a nurse, I think there might be a subliminal message here…..
The quilt looks beautiful and I am certain no one would even notice that adorable little spermy
I love all of your work,
I love the trapunto work and have added that class to my wish list. Perhaps this would make a good fundraiser for Planned Parenthood…..or not!
Too funny. I have signed up for Kimberly's class.have not had a chance to start the quilt which is darling.
Great story! Kimberly has a great sense of humor so you are fortunate to have met a great partner in crime!
Give it eyes and move on. 🙂
Ugh. I've tried posting 3 times now. Evidently it doesn't want me to type today…
Anyway I love it. You really did everything right. Don't second guess yourself. Give yourself the advice you'd give someone else. Go with it.
Great story…. thanks for the giveaway… Love Craftsy !
Have you considered entering this into Ami Simms' Ugly Quilt Contest?
I know a group of people who would love a sperm quilt!! Clinical Laboratory Specialists, those hardworking unseen people generally kept in the hospital basement that tell your doctor what is wrong with you! We even had a sperm candle at one point. Who does sperm counts. So absolutely nothing is wrong with having a hidden sperm in your quilt because it would be a hit in a lab!
Ha ha ha! I'm still laughing! It's nice to know that everyone can make unique design choices!
Hi Leah, l think that the quilt is great. I have got a couple of craftsy classes which I have picked up some good ideas. I also have picked up some good information on threads, needles and different things on my sewing machine. Thanks Leah, I now can do free motion without getting eyelashes on the back of my quilts by simply NOT dropping the feed dogs. Still got a way to go with the free motion quilting but enjoying your class on Craftsy. Thanks again.
Vickye
NZ
Hello Leah. I love the choices that you made for this quilt. It is beautiful and I would never have put your quilting and sperm into the same sentence until you pointed it out. All I see is beautiful quilting. Keep up the good work.
Oh my goodness! I can soooooooo picture myself doing this. 🙂 In the end it looks more like water than sperm, but I would probably call this the sperm whale design.