Crackers & Jam Gift-Away!

Happy Friday, Happy Mid-May, Happy ALL THE THINGS!

I know you've been waiting for this one and I can't wait to watch you dig in -

If you are on Facebook, I hope you have joined our Quiltville’s Open Studio group so you can share your progress on what you are making.  It doesn't matter what, it doesn't matter who designed it, I love seeing what you are working on and that is the easiest way for me to keep up with you.

Some quilt ideas start on a whim, require immediate attention to get it into fabric, and then simmer into something else altogether during the making.

Such is the case with Crackers & Jam, starting with my simple love of traditional blocks that look like little to nothing on their own, but turn into something rather fun when multiplied and rotated.

Add a secondary block into the design and fun becomes wow from humble beginnings.

 

I took this photo of a vintage signature quilt from the 1930s, imposing one of my Quiltville Quotes of the Day on to it – thinking that this quilt could have been made more interesting by rotating every other block to make a chain.

I had no idea what size the signature blocks were, but I knew that *I* was not going to make them that big. This block deserved a smaller size which would encourage it to shine in a much bigger and brighter way!

I wanted a quilt that would make easy use of a wide variety of scraps in a multitude of colors along with some very scrappy neutrals as background.

Yes, this is what my work station actually looks like when I am deep into scrappy paper piecing!

The objective? Use as many of the saved small pieces as I could. Game on!

Fast, easy paper piecing -

So satisfying and fun!

To help my scraps go even farther - I opted for using 2 different neutrals and two different colors in each block.  I love the look.  

Pairing fabrics is so much fun.  I love deciding what is going to end up next to what.

And then when they come together like this? 

Happy dance!

The alternate Diamond Plus block came later when I started playing with settings, but those also use small pieces of scraps for the corners of the block, and I was able to put some random lesser chosen charm squares in the large block center.

I separated my fabrics by neutral and by color family – and just went to town.

On the Design Floor -

I am always amazed at how much things shrink up when sewing blocks into the quilt top! (Evidently, it doesn't take much to amaze me.  LOL!)

Hidden messages!

Remember when I finished the top after all of that pin matching?!

And the fun didn't stop there - In my big decade of "sew it up until it is gone" mode - my scrappy backs have gotten even scrappier in an attempt to sew some of this into submission.

Super happy with the results!

I quilted Crackers & Jam with a pearl pink thread in an edge-to-edge design called Verdant by Apricot Moon.

The texture worked out so great -

I had earlier cut and made this binding for a different quilt, but it just didn't work and I opted for something else.  I'm glad!  Because it is the perfect finish for Crackers & Jam.

I love a binding with 1/4'' finish that doesn't nip off the points or corners of my blocks at the edge of the quilt.  I work from 2'' strips, folded in half, sewn on with 1/4'' seam.

Paper Piecing Fun!

This two-block quilt is a paper piecer’s dream with simple shapes, printable templates, full color photos and step-by-step instructions to make the most of your scrap stash with fabulous results.

Quilt Size: 78’’ X 78’'

Introductory Pricing:  I've placed Crackers & Jam in the Quiltville Store at 25% off with no coupon code needed. Discount applied at checkout and good through 5/31/26.

And yes, there is a Gift-Away!

I'll be drawing for two winners who will each receive a Crackers & Jam PDF pattern from me and a Notable Neutrals fabric roll from  Cotton to Quilts!

The fabric rolls are such a great way to enhance your stash with each roll containing 20 pieces each 8'' X 22".  These especially are how I keep my neutrals fresh and fun with lots of variety.

Check out their other color rolls too!

While winners must have their fabric prize shipped to a USA address, if you are international we can send it to a friend within the USA who can foreword it on to you, or you can still win without the fabric prize if you are drawn.

Okay, Let's Go!

We'll draw for our winners on Wednesday 5/27/26.

Good luck, everyone!

And while I have your attention:

I want to share a promotion I received by email so I can pass it on to you!
When you reserve any new Craftours tour by Sunday 5/17/26 you may enjoy $250 off your booking. Please be sure to mention the “Mother’s Day” discount when making your reservation.

 
Click to my travel page HERE.

Only a few days left to reserve your spot for India!

Our Christmas Market tour sign ups will be finalizing soon - so don't miss out on this one either!

This is the week you can save $250.00 when mentioning "Mother's Day" at registration, but it is only good this week.

Visit my travel page for more info and come along with me!

Back to reality - I've got the May Quiltvillians in the house and they are already quilting up a storm.  Photos from our time together will appear in tomorrow's post.

I've also got the fun job of going to have the van windshield fixed today. Rock chips happen on mountain roads. Let's hope that doesn't take too long as I've got a quilting project to get back to.

How is your Friday shaping up? Weekend forecast looking promising for some machine time?

Quiltville Quote of the day -

What can I say? If it works, it works!

 
Happy Friday, everyone!