Well this block took me all afternoon!  It really only took a couple of hours, I had to run out and pick up my prescription at the store so that took up a bit of time.  It always takes me at least a half hour to pick out the fabrics that I want to use.  I have to put them all together to make sure that they will all work with each other and that there is not more of one color than the other.  Normally I would have pick a lighter background than this, but I thought since there was yellow in most of the other selections this would work as the background.

I am a very slow piecer, particularly when I am working with small blocks.  I make sure to square everything up after EVERY step.  This may seem tedious, but with blocks of this size even being 1/16" larger can make a big difference in getting an exact measurement.  Don't let this stop you, it's not a race.  Enjoy the journey, take your time!!  Always remember, if your block comes out to small, add a small border around it.  The quilt police are not going to fine you for a deviation of the block.  It's your creative license to do what you want to make your block work for you!!!

If you haven't already signed up to get notification of when the FREE blocks are available, GO HERE and sign up today.  You can also join the The Splendid Sampler community/classroom on Facebook.

The second and third block of the Splendid Sampler have been released and I love seeing all the variations that people have made.  I had the second block done but just didn't get around to posting the picture, so here it is:

As you can see, I am not completely done.  I haven't embroidered the body or antenna yet. I will do that another day!  The third block is also available and I haven't started that one yet.  I think I will do that one this afternoon!  I hope you are having as much fun with this as I am!

If you haven't started yet, don't worry you can catch up.  Or you can just start with the next block and go back to these later! It is never to late to join, just Click here. All the patterns are free and there are additional bonus projects and tutorials!
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.The first block in the Splendid Sampler quilt has been released.  Hearts Aflutter by Pat Sloan was released on Valentine's Day! If you haven't already signed up to participate in the Splendid Sampler adventure you can do it right now.  It's FREE! You will receive a free block pattern every Sunday and Thursday for a year.  There will also be FREE tutorials and other FREE projects along the way!  For a whole year!!! For more information about the program, go to the Home page by ​Clicking here

You can also join the Splendid Sampler Facebook group.  This is a great place to meet all the other quilter's that are taking this journey and to see the photos of their blocks and the variations that they make.  We are a group of over 13,000 (and growing!!) from all over the world!  It's going to be a lot of fun.

I was asked to design a block, but mine won't be released until November.  In the meantime, I am going to be sewing along with everyone else.  The heart above is the one that I made.  I found an older stack of fat quarters that was just screaming to be used!  I will share my blocks with you on this journey and I invite you to share yours also!  Until next time......

What is the Splendid Sampler?  
 
Two friends and designers (Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson) got together over a cup of coffee and decided to do a project together that would join quilters from all over the world in one year long 100 block "Epic Adventure".  They invited 83 Fellow Designers they admire and Industry Leaders that support them to design a block and sew along with them. I was lucky enough to be included in that group!  

This is a mystery sampler.  Each block will be 6" finished and will use techniques ranging from pieced, to appliqué, to embroidery, to English Paper Piecing (EPP) or traditional Paper Piecing.  The blocks will be released twice a week, beginning February 14th.  There will be two holiday breaks for Christmas Day and New Years Day. The blocks will be FREE until March 2017!

There may even be a few bonus blocks and projects.

I haven't picked out the fabric that I will use yet to make my sampler, but I will keep you updated here and on my Facebook page.

Sew, sign up now and get to know us and let us get to know you! Already there have been more than 8000 quilters sign up to take this journey!  

JOIN THE SPLENDID SAMPLER ON FACEBOOK! or VISIT THE SPLENDID SAMPLER WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION!