Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th of July - RWB Blog Hop plus Giveaway!

To all American readers, Happy Independence Day.  And to everyone, Happy 4th of July  :)

Thanks to Jane and Mdm Samm for allowing me the pleasure of being part of this hop!  The full master schedule can be found at Jane's blog or look at the bottom of my post today...

My block is a firecracker in honor of the fact that we have a burn ban in our area this year due to severe drought so this is the only one we are likely to see tonight.

Below you can see it in all it's 10 1/2" unfinished glory...

Stats: 10 1/2" block (I didn't paper piece, just strip pieced my stripes and cut at an angle. Then I used a "slash and whack technique" to insert the firecracker in the middle and embroidered my phrasing with a Microsoft Word font template)

Here is a pictoral description of what I did if you care to replicate it in some fashion...

 Above is my Red and Blue strip set and the start to cutting it into a firework shape.

 Next, I placed it on my white 13" square at a pleasing angle and cut the first "slash".

 Then I cut the other two slashes and removed the white piece from underneath my "firecracker".

 Then it was just a matter of joining the pieces back together.


 Embroidering the phrase and cutting the block down to 10 1/2".

 Here is a close up of the embroidery. 


I couldn't resist finishing it with a stitch in the ditch simple quilting design and placing it in the frame we used for the last hop so here is the finished table topper.  Whew!  Do my posies look dry or what?  And this was not too long after the 1.5" drenching we got from Friday night's storm.  It sure has been dry around here lately.  But I am through complaining as we spent 2 1/2 days without power and still have friends and family without power today.  We sure had quite a whopper of a storm.

I do have a giveaway to offer if you'd like to leave a comment on this post...I will draw on July 16 which is the end of the hop.

This is a half yard of the red (Nautical & Nice from Sandy Gervais for Moda) and a half yard of the white(Bubbles from Sandy Gervais for Moda).  Good luck in the drawing and have a Happy 4th of July!  Also, please be sure I can contact you as I will make another draw if you are a no-reply blogger!

Be sure to visit the other blogs "on" for today and through the rest of the hop! 

                                       Red White and Blue Blog Hop

July 4th
krislovesfabric  <---this is me!
KatieQ

July 5th

July 6th

July 7th

July 9th

July 11th
Nancy R

July 12th
July 13th
July 14th
July 15th
July 16th
PolkaDotClassic

145 comments:

Sparky said...

Good Morning Kris...yeah your power is on, but you cannot have any fireworks...welllllll your lovely piece will certainly bring a smile or two by
your drive byes...full of spark and simplicity..cause all you need is a spark, to blast the brightness into our day....great job

Karen M said...

Thanks for sharing your process to make this block. Thanks for the chance to win this fabric.

Sheila said...

Beautiful, thanks for being part of the hop! Have a great holiday.

Linda said...

Awesome block! Thanks for the tutorial. And thanks for the great giveaway. Enjoy your day

Dorothy Thornton said...

Love the block. Thanks for sharing with us

Vroomans' Quilts said...

How clever! Nicely done. I am glad to hear that you 'weathered' that awful storm and were able to be with us today.

Julie said...

Love the block. Thanks

Linda said...

I love it Kris! Happy 4th of July!

Jeanie said...

Very cute block (and safe with this drought)! Thanks so much!

Unknown said...

I love the simplicity of your block. White is such a perfect way to make red and blue stand out! The embroidery makes the block! Happy 4th of July!

Jacqueline said...

What a cute little cracker. Thanks for the tut. Hope you and yours have a great day today and are safe.

jleibfried@aol.com

Ariane said...

Love your block!! Thanks for the great tutorial!! Happy 4th of July!!!

JudyCinNC said...

I love that you made a firecracker in honor ow July 4th - I just wish the fireworks were banned everywhere this year during this hot dry fire-risky summer. Judy C

sandyb said...

Love your block and tutorial. Thank you for the love fabric giveaway.

sandyb720 at gmail dot com

Shelia said...

So Cute, love the firecracker. Thanks for participating in the bloghop.

Karen said...

Love your block and thanks for the giveaway.

LeAnne said...

What an effective simple block. Thanks for the tutorial.

♥Duff said...

I love the straightforward design of your block--it's fun, festive, and fantastic!

StitchinByTheLake said...

We have a burn ban too and fireworks are strictly forbidden right now. We're listed in the government's "extreme drought" states. Scary! So what a great idea to stitch a firecracker. Wish I'd thought of that. :) blessings, marlene

Michele said...

Sweet, sweet block. Thanks for the chance to win.

Kathryn said...

I love how you made the striped firecracker. Glad you are back with power. I'm a retired power company employee, and those linemen do amazing work in terrible conditions. Thanks for the giveaway. Red - my husband's favorite color.

Maria Kievit said...

Love all the new ideas everybody is coming up with for their blocks! Very cute. New follower

Pat said...

What a great idea for a block!

Barb Neiwert said...

Kris - what a great job you've done on this block - very fun! Not any real need for fireworks - 66 homes were lost Saturday from a fire in an Idaho town probably started by fireworks. So terribly sad.

mary said...

A very very nice block. Thanks for the Tutuorial. Thanks for the giveaway

~Kris~ said...

Love your little firecracker. Definitely the safe kind! All this red, white, and blue is getting me inspired to make a quilt of valor. thanks for all the inspiration!

Betsy said...

Fabulous block! Thank you for the chance

DebbieM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DebbieM said...

Sorry, I had to remove my comment, I messed it up big time. OK, lets try again, please remove my #28 from the giveaway. I loved the firecracker in your block. I would have never thought to cut on a diagonal. It is so pretty. I need to get over to Raspberry Rabbits and get myself a frame pronto. Thank you for the giveaway chance. Have a Happy 4th of July!!!

carla said...

LOve your block and the tutorial!!!! Loving this hop!!!

Quilt Doodle Designs said...

Love the firecracker!

JoyceLM said...

Cute firecracker! Thanks for the chance to win.

Gwen said...

Love your block! I am thinking that using blocks from all the different Red, White & Blue hoppers would make an AWESOME quilt!! :-) Thank you for the chance to win some Sandy Gervais fabric!! She's one of my favorites! :-)

Unknown said...

What a super firecracker! I love that you stacked and whacked it. It looks perfect.

Betty said...

Your firecracker is cute and a safe way to use fireworks during this hot dry weather.
Thanks for offering the giveaway.

JudyC said...

I love the sinplicity of your block and the tutorial is super. I plan to have one on my back porch next year!!!

This hop is just super!

Carol Swift said...

How cute is that! I love it! It really makes a cute table topper--nice job.

Sue Daurio said...

Love the firework block, that is just too cute!!

Needled Mom said...

Great idea and I like it on your frame!

Lee said...

Thank you for the tutorial. The firecracker is cute!

Deonn said...

Hi, Kris - that's the perfect block for my part of the world, too (wildfires). So cute.

Karen said...

Ooh that is so festive, I love it! I hope you get some rain soon though. Thanks so much for sharing! I was surprised to see that you didn't paper piece the block, but I think that makes it even more special. Have a happy 4th of July!

Barbara said...

Love your little block! What a cute little table runner it would make. Happy 4th!

Sheila said...

Great idea. Have 4th of July!

Margaret said...

Very cute idea. Easy enough that even I could do it. Thanks for the inspiration and the give away.

Anonymous said...

I Love your Firecracker Banner! It does look Paper Pieced. I love the Embroidery on it!
Thanks for the Giveaway!

CaroleM said...

That's a really cute block! Happy July 4th!
carolejm at gmail dot com

KatheG said...

So cute. It's so great to see embroidery coming back - my first passion. Thank you and Happy 4th of July!

Kylie Carlson said...

Beautiful embroidery on this piece and thank you for a lovely giveaway.

Truffle queen said...

VERY creative! I thought it was paper pieced when I first saw it - but no - you designed it with free-hand cutting! WOW - and then embroidered it to boot! Thanks for sharing! Happy 4th of July!

evelyn said...

Great idea. Love the embroidery. Happy 4th of July.

Renea said...

Really cute block. I am always looking for ideas and tutorials for my table topper. Thanks for the great giveaway.

Purl Buttons said...

What fun your block will be to make for my next year 4th of July wall quilt! I love your idea!

Vail said...

I love how you did your firecracker. Such a cute block. Thanks for the giveaway.

vail in tn

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a fun block, love your little firecracker! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

Lyn said...

Thanks for the nice block and tutorial. The giveaway looks great too.

Gmama Jane said...

I know all about the Burn Ban!! So glad you have your AC back!! We had a power outage for only 1 hr and the house got hot. In April 2010 we had a tornado outbreak that left us 8 days without power...Yuck!!!
Your firecracker looks ready to fire!!
Happy 4th of July
Gmama Jane

Janet said...

Cute block! And the best kind of firecracker in this summer of fires. Thanks for the giveaway.

Chris said...

What a lovely block and you shared it with your neighbors? Wonderful way to have fireworks.

Sheila said...

Great block and fun tutorial . Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway .

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

What a unique block....love it!! and thanks for your wonderful giveaway!

HeatherK @ A Reformed Heath'n said...

I enjoy fireworks like yours every year :) Thanks for sharing your process as well as your fun block!

Karen O said...

What a great block! So easy and fun. Thank you for sharing it.

Karen said...

Cute fire cracker block. Thanks for being part of this hop.

Sunshine Girl said...

Great block - thanks for sharing.

Debbie said...

this is a really cute block... perfect!!

Patty said...

Really cute block I like the way you displayed it.

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

What a fun block..will have to give it a try! Thanks for the tutorial!

Deborah said...

I'm enjoying the hop! Cute block and love the frame. Thanks for the giveaway.
Deborah

Teresa in Music City said...

Your firecracker blocks is adorable! I love the simplicity of how you put it together, and the fact that it has some embroidery as well :*) Thanks for the chance to win that wonderful fabric!

Andee said...

Very cute! I like it!

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle said...

Cute firecracker! Thanks for the tut. Being new to quilting I really enjoy learning from these blog hops.

Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Have a great holiday!

Sallie said...

Very creative! Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway!

Rebeckah Austin said...

Happy 4th! I pinned your block very basic but that is what makes it lovely, I love it!

Cecilia said...

That is a great firecracker block! Thanks for the chance to win.

auntdebbiequilts said...

Fantastic tutorial and beautiful quilt! Thanks so much for sharing.

Debbie - Traveling Quilter

whistlebet57 said...

I love it thanks for sharing

tink's mom said...

Great block and thanks for the tutorial.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Happy Hop Day! I love your block and a great tutorial. I am going to put this on my to make list. Thanks for playing!

Mrs.Pickles said...

what a great block!! thanks for sharing

Heather said...

Great block! I like how nicely it fits for today! Happy 4th!

Carrie P. said...

Very cute and creative block. That is the only fire work I will see because I refuse to go out in the heat to see any. lol I would imagine there are a lot of burning bans.
Have a great 4th! thanks for the chance to win some fabric.

Fiber Babble said...

Ohmygosh, that block is stinkin' CUTE! Makes me want to push away from the screen and go play in my sewing room!

Loris said...

Fun firecrackers and a Happy 4th of July to you! Your block is sweet! Love the embroidery addition :-)

Donna said...

The Sandy Gervais fabric giveaway would make my jump for joy. I love her fabrics!

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Such a cute firework!! Loved the embroidery!!

Lori said...

your firecracker is adorable. thanks for the chance to win fabric
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Martha said...

Cute firecracker! Thanks for the chance in your giveaway!
mtower@bellsouth.net

Teresa said...

Thanks for sharing your idea. I love anything with a bit of embroidery.

Sherill said...

I am really enjoying adding embroidery to my quilts. This is a great block. Thank you! Happy 4th to you.

Kate said...

Very simple, but very cute! Thanks for sharing your firecracker!

BizyStitches said...

Really neat block and I like how you have it displayed outside. Thanks for the chance to win your fabric.

Jodi - usairdoll said...

Your block is great! I love blocks that have embroidery as well. Thanks for sharing your block.

Thank you for a great giveaway and a chance to win some gorgeous fabric.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

barbara woods said...

love that fabric thanks for the giveaway

Rosa said...

Great block.Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win!

Judy B said...

I love how your firecracker POPS! Great giveaway too.

Rina Mason said...

This block is so creative, just love it! I have so much fun finding blogs that are new to me and now you have a new follower. Thanks for the chance to win some of that great fabric.

Julie S said...

WOW! This is the best block ever! I will have to incorporate it somehow into a Quilt of Valor--wouldn't that be celebratory!

Kathy H said...

Very cute block. Luckily we are still having fireworks here. I would miss them.

B Greene said...

Love your firecracker block!! Thanks for the chance to win the wonderful fabric and for the RW&B inspiration!

Kathie said...

Love the simplicity of the block!

Josie McRazie said...

I was going to take a pic of my block in front of plants and... ummm they are all brown! I DO NOT have a green thumb! LOL Your block is crazy fun!!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

That's really a cute block and of course it had to have stitching. I love anything Sandy G designs. Throw my name in the hat.

Linda Lee said...

Thank you for the greeting! I like your block..I think I will give it a try...Also. Thank you for hosting and the chance to win your give-away.

Wendy said...

Way cool block! Thank you so much for the instructions :)

Joyce Carter said...

I think your firecracker block is really cute. I might even try to make one for myself. Thank you for the giveaway.

Pam said...

Love your block, simplicity is a good thing! Your flowers look just fine too. Glad you have your power back on, we missed out on the storms here, but have had a few thunderstorms this afternoon. I am a new quilter on the block (boo on the pun), and hope to learn a lot from my favorite blogs. Hope you get more rain soon, just gentle rain this time. Thanks for the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!!

Marcia W. said...

Thanks for all the effort to post a smashing block. I like the writing too. Tropical storm Deb hit us hard but we needed that rain, just not the flooding. Take care!

Sharon Dawn said...

Cute block! It looks great the way you finished it!

VickiT said...

Love your firecracker quilt block. I love the way you created it. Thanks for showing us how to do it too.

Rita said...

i really like your firecracker table topper, and the tutorial appears to be very helpful! hopefully, i can get one done for next year. already i'm thinking of a white background with red and blue stars, stripes, or fireworks. Thank you for this opportunity. hope you stay 'fire free' this summer!

Rita said...

i really like your firecracker table topper, and the tutorial appears to be very helpful! hopefully, i can get one done for next year. already i'm thinking of a white background with red and blue stars, stripes, or fireworks. Thank you for this opportunity. hope you stay 'fire free' this summer!

KatieQ said...

Thanks for sharing the tutorial for you firecracker block. I would love to make it for next years 4th of July celebration.

Brenda said...

Neat table topper! Thanks for the tutorial!

Anita said...

Love your block, very cute!

prairie said...

That is so simple and so dynamic. I love how you put it together. Wow. Thanks for letting us stop by.

In stitches and seams said...

too cute ...... what a clever idea.
in stitches

Rhonda D. said...

Love your firecracker! The temp here was 104, and there
are bans on fireworks, too. This was one of the few that I will see. Thanks for the chance to win!!!!!!

wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jeanne Gwin said...

Sometimes Simplicity is so understated that it is beautiful, and your block definitely fits this category. Job well done indeed. Thanks for a chance to win some awesome fabric.

Renee G said...

Love your block. It's both simple and fabulous. I'll have to give it a try.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

Judy1522 said...

Great firecracker table topper and tutorial. Hope you had a great 4th of July even with the ban on fireworks.

Farm Quilter said...

You are so creative!!! Great way to safely celebrate our independence without risking a fire :o) Thank you for the great tutorial that encourages us to be creative and make our own blocks. You added some "bang" to my 4th!!

Diana said...

Love the firecracker, so simple and great directions. thanks for the give away

Margy said...

Great firecracker pattern and lovely to see it displayed outside for all to see. Margy

Anonymous said...

Great block!! and thanks for the giveaway!!!

Lisa at gatesey929(at)aol(dot)com

hueisei said...

Very cute block!!

ledamewood said...

I love your block, very creative. Thanks for the giveaway - I have a red & white quilt on my to do list and these fabrics would be perfect to include.

Unknown said...

Great block! And, thanks for the giveaway!

Martha said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful block with us and for being so generous with your give-a-way.

Kay said...

Really cute block & great to put on a little stand like you did. I love anything red & white, so would love to win the fabric.

Sharon said...

This is such a cute idea for a block! Great job!

MoeWest said...

Thanks for sharing your block. I can use it for Canada Day on July 1st with a little change in wording. Thanks for the giveaway.

aiah23 said...

This is definitely a cute idea! I love the simplicity and clean lines of your block, thanks so much for sharing it!

Unknown said...

Love your firecracker block!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

I love it! Now that's my kinda firecracker...quiet. hee,hee,hee.
Great job girlfriend!

Stephanie said...

I love the embroidered phrase...I need to be brave enough to try that! :)

quiltmom anna said...

I really enjoyed reading the pressing tutorial and seeing your fun block for the blog hop. Don't you love red and white fabrics- so very pretty together.
Thanks for participating in the blog hop .
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna

pinsandneedles said...

Very cute block! Thanks for sharing!

ritainalaska said...

love your block displayed on the mini hanger! great idea!

leanne said...

cute block - glad you were able to still have fireworks !

Sandra J. Strickler said...

gorgeous block!

Julie said...

How creative you are! So cute!

Gill said...

Such a great block!
Thanks!

Tracie Brown said...

very cute! I do hope to win the giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity Tburchar (at) yahoo (dot) com

robin said...

I like it! Thanks for the giveaway chance!