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Safari Moon Blog Hop & Safari Cruise Quilt Preview

February 27, 2014

Hi! Welcome to my stop on the Safari Moon Blog Hop! I'm so happy you're here.

Safari Moon is a stunning, bright and bold new fabric line by designer Frances Newcombe, for Art Gallery Fabrics.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Frances at Spring Quilt Market, last year, in Portland. She was at Market to have a little fun, and to help wrap her mind around what Fall Market might be like for her. Frances is so kind, creative, and has a wonderful laugh. We got to know each other over many delicious dinners, and a few VooDoo Donuts, while we were in Portland.

When Fall Quilt Market came around, I was so excited to see the debut of Safari Moon. Her booth was stunning, and she took home the award for Best New Exhibitor. Just look at her booth!! Gorgeous, right??

I've been on a bit of a personal journey, lately. I am the daughter of a designer. An amazing designer. I've never really felt like designing was a big part of who I am as a quilter, until recently. (I'll go deeper into that story in another post.) Smack in the middle of my self-discovery, Frances asked me to be a part of her blog hop. I was honored. And I took it as a sign that it was time to do my own thing and make something that was from my heart.

I had been drawing some designs, and sketched this mini-quilt on my favorite Post-It graph paper pads (aren't they adorable?!). I knew this was going to be my Safari Moon quilt. The block is my own design, "Wonder", and was inspired by several traditional quilt blocks. (Yes, a pattern is coming soon!!!)

During the design process, and after a chat with one of my best friends, Melanie, I took a different path with quilt design. I decided on off-set blocks, flowing into a river of open space. As I cut my pieces, I placed and replaced them from one spot to another, until it became what I saw in my mind. (Clearly, I need a larger design wall, haha.)

And Safari Cruise was born!! My intention was to create a gradual flow from the solids into the Safari Moon prints. Art Gallery Pure Elements Solids were a perfect match, naturally. They're my favorites to work with, as well.

I love the arty, yet modern look of the positive exposure of the solids moving into the negative exposure of the prints. It reminds me of looking at my old 35mm negatives, back when I actually developed film (remember those days?).

When Frances asked me which prints I wanted to work with, I accidently left her handsome zebras off my list. I was tickled when she sent some anyway, with a sweet little note. They became the perfect choice for the centers of my blocks. I adore the two little guys peeking out at the edge of the quilt.

I have grand plans for the quilting of Safari Cruise. Originally, I intended on finishing the quilting in time for the blog hop, but I was sick over the weekend, and it didn't get done. I will, though, and I can't wait to show you!

As I mentioned above, the block is my new design called "Wonder". I'm working on writing up the pattern, and plan to have it ready for you in a few weeks. It's a really fun block, with so many possibilities. It's just one more thing that I can't wait to share with you.

(This picture makes me laugh. The oleanders, in my backyard, are literally 12 feet tall, and they just about absorbed my quilt. It's like a jungle back there! In the spring, bright fuchsia flowers cover every branch. It might just be the perfect backdrop for a post-quilting picture of the quilt.)

I had so much fun playing with Safari Moon. I decided I needed a bright little pin cushion made with it as well. I stitched up this improv basket weave design with Paperless Paper Piecing. No templates. No pins. No paper piecing. It was a lot of fun, and very freeing. I'm working on the tutorial for it, and will share it with you soon (probably this weekend, during the blog hop break).

I hope you find a little inspriation, and a lot of joy from working with Safari Moon. It's available now, from many retailers. My go-to online store is Fat Quarter Shop.

The Safari Moon Blog Hop is just getting started! It will continue through March 12th. Remember to visit these fabulous ladies, as well!

Frances is having a giveaway too! Let her know what you enjoyed about your visit here, on the blog hop, for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Safari Moon.

February 24: Faith Jones at Fresh Lemons Quilts
February 25: Lindsay Conner at Lindsaysews/Craft Buds
February 26: Sara Lawson at Sew Sweetness
February 27: Cristy Fincher at Cristy Creates
February 28: Amy Smart at Diary of a Quilter
March 3: Lee Heinrich at Freshly Pieced
March 4: Teri Harlan at Sew Fantastic
March 5: Jane Davidson at Quilt Jane
March 6: Lynne Goldsworthy at Lilys Quilts
March 7: Sandy Whitelaw at Upstairs Hobby Room
March 10: Katy Jones at ImAGingerMonkey
March 11: Victoria Findlay Wolfe at Victoria Findlay Wolfe Quilts
March 12: Megan Bohr at Canoe Ridge Creations

Thank you, Frances, my dear friend.

Happy Stitchin'!
~Cristy