Thursday, May 4, 2017

Adventure Seeker...Road Rally Block Tour

Welcome to my little place along the Road Rally tour!! For Quiltmaker's 100 Block Volume 15!! Check their blog for more rally stops and more awesome prizes!!


I live on a family farm in Iowa, where the winding path of Lizard Creek flows through the farmland on which we grow corn and soybeans. I have been a farm girl my whole life--growing up on a similar farm 30 miles to the north.
I have been blessed to always have a job working from home. When my children were young, I stayed busy with country wood crafts. Selling at local vendor shows. The creative adventure turned into quilting  on a road trip with friends to Country Threads in Garner, Iowa.
I now operate my long arm quilting business from home and  have just started the adventure of turning my designs into purchasable patterns. When not quilting, I am a full-time farm wife helping my husband with all the activities associated with raising quality pork.


I couldn't resist this vintage photo of  4 year old me--helping my Dad raise quality pork!!

Now on to Adventure Seeker....


The inspiration for this block came while on the airplane going to Florida for a small winter get-away with my husband. As you can see--sometimes it takes a while to get to the finished design. Planning family or quilty1 and quilty 2 adventures has been a passion of mine, so it only seemed fitting that this design was drawn while on an adventure!!


Such great spaces in this block to use your favorite fabrics. I played with a striped fabric in the original block--which I did not get a picture of--you will have to find it in the magazine--on page 58!!

Did you know that some fabric companies provide jpegs of their fabric lines? These can then be used in Electric Quilt software. How cool is that?! Being able to see how the fabrics work together, makes the project go together so nicely.

I thought it would be fun to see how Adventure Seeker looks as a quilt. I used Moda's Creekside by Sherri and Chelsi for the following quilts--Creekside for a quilt made by Lizard Creek Quilting. Too much? LOL




...and then I realized that adventures are the best way to learn. 

So I looked for a fabric line with stripes. Moda's The Good Life by Bonnie and Camille was just right. There was a stripe in it. And I wanted to learn how to rotate the stripe in EQ7. Lucky you, watch how it works!!


If you have a quilt with straight stripes, look for the rotate button in EQ.


A screen will pop up. I used 60 as the starting angle in the box.

Click all the right side patches of the striped blocks and watch what happens.


Then double the angle to 120....

...and click on the left side patches of the striped blocks...


Ta Da!! I now have my stripes at 60 degree angles!! Oh the possibilities!!! 

Now what if you don't have EQ software and still want to have fun with stripes...
Make your own template from cardstock...


.....use the size given in the instructions for the rectangle and cut your template.


Figure out which way the template needs to be for the right and left side!! Then lay your template on the fabric in a pleasing angle. Draw distinguishing marks--so when you flip it over to cut the other one--you can line up the template perfectly!!


Make some swiss cheese out of your fabric!!


Layout the pieces to make sure it is right!!


Then I marked the 1/4" seam allowance on the light background fabric--it makes for an easy line up!!


Stitch on the marked line and press open--then look at those funky dog ears to cut off!!


How cute is that???

What kind of adventure can I plan next--some giveaways?? 

How about this--if you could live in a teepe and have a working sewing machine for a week--where would you want that place to be?? I would park it somewhere in the Madison Valley of Montana.

Answer the question in the comments--and I will randomly draw a winner--on May 7--for four adventure fat quarters and Quiltmaker 100 blocks Volume 15.

One other person also randomly drawn from the comments will receive a copy of Volume 15 directly from Quiltmaker.


Thank you ever so much for stopping by my place. I hope you learned something new and enjoyed your time here today!!!

Blessed are the curious for they shall find adventures!!!

109 comments:

Pamela Gray said...

I would like to spend a week with my sewing machine, in a teepe by some mountain lake, one where there are no jet skies or boats, only kayaks and canoes. Nice and quiet.

Allison said...

I'm afraid I'm not a camper so no teepee for me. I do, however, live in the woods and love to quilt with all the windows open while listening to all the birds singing.

kt said...

I would have the teepee next to a quiet lake with a dock for a canoe and kayak and hiking and biking trails nearby. Don't think I'd spend much time at the sewing machine with all that, though!!

Wanda said...

I'm a homebody so my backyard would be fine. I'd be close to my flower garden. Thanks for the chance to win.





Martina said...

Oh I would like to spend my time in a teepee in Montenegro, close to a lake under those lovely pines!
Cute block, love it!

Julie said...

I think I would like a week at a campground with hiking trails and a lake.

Susan said...

Not much of a camper, but at least a tee pee with electricity sounds good. Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming all sound good right now. Anywhere where it's cooler than Texas!

Becky said...

I'd like to pitch my tent in the Colorado Rockies. Wonderful views and machine piecing - bliss!

Dana Gaffney said...

I think my tee pee would be in the mountains around Flagstaff, Az, it's lovely and crafty.

Sherry said...

Definitely Algonquin Park, probably at Pog Lake! Beautiful park in Ontario, Canada

swooze said...

A teepee. Wow I guess it would have to be in a state I haven't visited before. New Mexico perhaps.

Darlene B said...

I think somewhere in Amish country where I could sew with the sound of horses & buggies in the background!

Monica said...

We go camping at Assateague National Park. That's where I would be....I get to see the ocean.
I take my hand sewing or knitting when we go there.

Danette said...

My husband and I have a camper and I would love to just travel across the United States when I retire. So that we can see everything. Thank you, peterstankovich@comcast.net

VA said...

I'm not much of a camper, but it would be nice to be under some tall pines by a quiet lake!

Diana E said...

I would park my teepee on the banks of Whitefish lake in Montana.

Sandra said...

I live in the foothill in Sonora, CA. We have a lot of camping spots so I would be so happy to park my teepee in one of these camp grounds and just sew my little heart out while enjoy the outdoor life. Thank you for all of your hard work sharing your block with us as well as being a part of QM 100 Blocks Blog Tour and giving us all the chance to become a winner.

Sandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net

Joyce Carter said...

Loved the first quilt. Thank you for sharing and for the giveaway.
I have to be different from every one else. I would park my teepee on an island in Hawaii. LOL

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a great block! I would probably put my teepee somewhere in Wisconsin....along the Mississippi river!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Thanks for the EQ tips! I would park my tepee in my backyard because I am so forgetful--I would probably leave an important item (like my foot pedal) behind and would need to pop back home for it.

Lori said...

congratulations. your block is so fun and happy. I would love to park my tepee in the mountains where there are only trees and animals and sunshine. the peace and quiet would be heavenly if only for a short time. I would bring my husband and the two of us would have a fabulous time hiking and enjoying Gods blessings.

Unknown said...

Teepee's just whisper for a lake shore, don't they? I guess that's where I'd be, too. I love your block.

GranChris said...

Thanks for the EQ tips. I'd need to be on a beach somewhere to really be happy.

Karen said...

I would park it near a running stream where I could enjoy the lovely sounds of flowing water.

Joellyn P. said...

Thanks for the EQ lesson. I'd probably camp by a lake with my sewing machine in a national park like Yellowstone. Provided there were no Yogi's to come eat me our my stuff. I think as long as I have my sewing machine I can be happy anywhere, the happiest by a lake, waterfall, babbling brook, etc.

Lee Ann L. said...

I adore the beach/ocean; so, maybe something along those lines? By the way, cute block!

Rozz01 said...

I live in AZ so I'd park my teepee at the Grand Canyon so I could have beautiful scenery look view every day. Love your teepee block pattern.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

I'd set up my tent in Ireland and explore the land of my ancestors!

Anonymous said...

I would like to have my teepee in Montana, Wyoming or Wisconsin. Landscape quilts made from photos from that part of the country are usually wonderful.

Pat K
yfg3749@yahoo.com

CindyD said...

I think I'd want my teepee to be someplace along the Oregon coast - a place on my bucket list.

Barb said...

I think Colorado would be a good place for a teepee.
bjkaup(at)(abbnebraska)(dot)(com)

www.hudsonvalleyquilts.com said...

I love your pattern and seeing it with different colorways and layouts!!

Unknown said...

I would spend my week in a teepee, with my sewing machine set up on a picnic table in Many Glacier Campground, in Glacier National Park, my favorite vacation spot!

JoyceLM said...

Love your block - thanks for sharing some EQ tips. I'd set up my teepee in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. Thanks.

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said...

I do love your teepee block. It's simple lines make it look so restful. I'd put my teepee up in Yellowstone in the fall.

alaskamarge said...

What a fun block! I would put your little teepee on the beach in front of my house..so that I could run inside to eat and get away from the mosquitoes.

Vicki in MN said...

As of right now I would say Maui!! Great block and congrats on being published!

Linda Christianson said...

I would go to Arizona. Three days was not enough to see all the sites. The quilt store was fun, but I would have little time to sew too much for the eyes to see.

Beth said...

live in a teepee AND have a sewing machine? why I would want to be in a big field in Yellowstone, somewhere I could overlook Old Faithful..
big fun!
love your block, and thanks for the tip on EQ rotation

tac73 said...

I'd love to pitch my teepee at a mountain lake. Thank you for your wonderful tutorial. I don't EQ so I am glad you gave secondary directions. tacdah at gmail (dot)com

Debbie said...

I would have my teepee in my own back yard!! I am a homebody!!!

your block is so cute maybe will find it way into a child's quilt someday!!

drhodes9@cox.net

@lutzcats said...

I would put it in Montego Bay, Jamaica!!

mary b said...

I would put my teepee in the Smokey Mountains.

~Kris~ said...

I think I would park it on a beach - maybe Tahiti. Sounds like a perfect sewing spot. Maybe the cabana boy could fill my bobbins for me. LOL!

mumbird3 said...

I would be up in the mountains of Western North Carolina - love the mountain air and the cool nights!! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

rosemaryschild said...

I would park my teepee & sewing machine in the mountains of North Carolina, near Chimney Rock-so beautiful there! Thank you, Susan

Kathryn said...

I'd love to be in Yellowstone for a week. The colors of the hot springs would be inspiring.

Laura said...

Think I'd like to be in Banff National park for a week.

Suzy K said...

My teepee would be pitched in Grand Tetons National Park. I doubt I would leave after a week though.

Gill said...

On a beach - maybe somewhere in Portugal?

krazycat6@gmail.com said...

I'd put it in the north woods of Michigan. Your block is really cute. Thanks for the lesson in EQ about rotation. Diane

Lisa England said...

A teepee in Arches National Park would be lovely. The scenery there is so amazing.

teachpany said...

I would choose Colorado or Montana. Thanks for the fun inspiration. Playing with stripes isn't something I had thought of.

Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net said...

Our favorite place is the Cement Creek campground in central Colorado.

Jayne said...

I would love anywhere in Austria

Brenda E. said...

Hmm...well someplace warm enough and no bugs. Near a beach on a cliff where I can listen to the waves each day and the only area that would work for me is Door County in WI. I have been there many times and would not feel a need to go sightseeing but stay snug with my machine purring away!

Rommy van Houten said...

Our favorite place is a campground in the Netherlands

Bonnie said...

I would spend the week in Hawaii by the beach. bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Somewhere far away from here- would never want to spend that long in the elements here in South Florida in the approaching rainy season. Perhaps the Catskills?

allisonpogany at gmail.com

Madeline said...

I'll take the teepee next to yours, so I have some quilting company!

Nancy said...

I actually love my 18-acre property, so I'd put it here and hide it!

Anonymous said...

I like the beaches but I don't want sand to close of my sewing machine...marta...martamanole@yahoo.com

Cecilia said...

I would put it near the beach, so I could listen to the waves while I sew. Cute block!

Lois said...

It would have to be one of two spots. First choice would be the beaches of Hawaii. (Free of sand of course) The ocean lapping at the sand....Well since I know that wont happen, my deck overlooking my back yard.

Mary said...

I think I would want my teepee to be large enough for at least a couple quilty friends to join me and we would be in the mountains.

lalaluu said...

I'd love to be in some valley where I can see a beautiful mountain range. I'm not picky, but if I could pick, then the Grand Tetons would do nicely!

wendy said...

It might look strange but I would park my teepee in the highlands of Scotland.

Pamela said...

I'd be in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend or along the Llano River in Marble Falls, TX!
We once considered having a motorcycle campground with teepees for the campers!
kinderpam@gmail.com

Vicki K said...

I'd be right behind my son's house in Colorado Springs!

bethdaniels@cox.net said...

I would be in Hawaii.

Auntie Clark said...

At the beach. Any beach.
auntie.clark@gmail.com

Beth said...

My hometown, on the beach: Huntington Beach, CA.

Donna said...

In the mountains, and listen to the breeze in the trees and smell the mountain air.
Thanks for sharing about the fabric Jpegs and being able to use them in EQ. Wonderful to learn something new each day.
Thanks for sharing .
djcutting2(at)gmail(dot)com

Deb B. said...

At the beach.

Vicki H said...

I would like mine in the woods in northern MN.

Karen said...

In a rocky cove along the ocean here in Maine!

Sandi1100 said...

Somewhere on a beach but not a crowded beach. Nice block.

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for the great tutorial. My tent would be in a luxury hotel (all perks included) with a pool and hot tub and a free-for-me quilt shop available a few steps away.

Stacey Martin said...

I would park my tee pee in the mountains near a river so i could hear the river sounds while i sew and have a campfire at night with the peaceful sounds of the river! Ahhhhh....yes!!!!

CA Bobbie said...

My spot would be where I could look at a body of water-preferably one with wave movement-not from wind. Be still my heart.
Thanks for th op to win. rjc2cam(at)gmail(dot)com

Joyful Quilter said...

Cute block! I pitch my tent somewhere on the Oregon coast...and would probably freeze the whole time but it would be worth it. ;o)

sue s said...

I would plant my teepee in northern Michigan, near the Lake Michigan shore. When I need a break I can go walk along the beach. BTW, I love your fabrics!

Unknown said...

I love this, and if I had a teepee and could pitch my tent to sew anywhere it would be in the Ozarks of Missouri!

JANET said...

Somewhere out in the woods near a brook, so I could listen to the water sing. The trouble with being in a beautiful place is that I would not want to sew, I would want to be out in it, feeling the beauty.

Quilt Maniac said...

I would put my teepee on a beach in Maui... In winter when it is wet & cold in Oregon! great block... pjrquilter(at)msn(dot)com

Deb said...

You know what, I've never been to Montana and would love to! I think my answer would be out there in big sky country!

Anonymous said...

I would put my tepee in the Colorado mountains!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

nancykwiltz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
AKF said...

My teepee would be in Rocky Mountain Park in Colorado.

nancykwiltz said...

Cute block! I would pitch my teepee at Crater Lake.

Anna brown said...

Tytyty got to love tricks of the trade....happyness04431@yahoo.com

Vicki said...

I think it would have to be somewhere warm. Maybe Bermuda. Love the block settings with a variety of colors.

Pamela said...

Near Lake Isabel in Colorado! Nice block!

Cathy C said...

I live in the forest in the beautiful Flathead valley of Montana, so I could just pitch the tee pee out in our yard and enjoy the beauty of home!

Donna W said...

My tepee would be set up in the Baraboo Bluffs.

Ioleen said...

I would have my tepee set up in Lake Louise, Alberta overlooking the snow topped mountains.

Nancy Sue said...

Congrats on such a fun block. Hmm... teepee, and a working sewing machine... First, thank you for sending us away with a working sewing machine. Not much fun on vacay in a teepee without a sewing machine.... or a broken one! Hmm... I run hot, so I'm thinking Alaska in the summertime/spring. they have longer daylight, so I could sewing until 11pm at least!!
LOL! Congrats again!!!

Lee said...

I would set up my teepee in northern Michigan! Congratulations on a great block and thank you for the tutorials!!

shelleyjwilliams said...

I would set mine up in Rome, Italy. It is beautiful there, and I would love to go again. Great food and atmosphere.!

Farm Quilter said...

On a beach in Hawaii would suit me fine! Winter has been long this year and I really would like the warm to start!!

KatieB said...

I'd park my teepee near the beach on Maui so Icould snorkel when I took a break!

Cat said...

I'd love to set up my tepee overlooking a lake, somewhere non humid, with good friends and family close by.

Angie said...

I'd want to be in the mountains of NC, near a waterfall, because I love it in the mountains. It's so peaceful with great air and water!! By the way, I like your block alot!!

prairiekat said...

Thanks for the steps of aligning designs with the teepee shape. Kathy in colo repzjratplainsdotcom

G&G said...

I would set up my teepee on the shores of Cayuga Lake in New York state.
We have a cottage there and I love to sit on the porch with my featherweight
sewing machine and make quilts and quilted things.

Tu-Na Quilts said...

I would sit and sew in my teepee at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I've always wanted to hike down, across, and up the other side so why not spend a week there in style. kthurn@bektel.com

craftygramma said...

Somewhere overlooking the ocean...Virginia Beach, Va near my cousin, maybe?

Emily C said...

Not fond of the outdoors, so I would park it in my backyard. That way I have use of the 'facilities' and my hubby's yummy cooking, while hiding away.

Jollygirl said...

I am thinking that the Grand Canyon is where I would want to be.