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Sweet Celebrations Blog Tour: Happy Hanukkah!

Published October 11, 2012

Hi everyone! Welcome to mine and Vanessa’s day on the Sweet Celebrations blog tour! I’m just overjoyed that I get to be a part of this fun group of designers and can’t wait to talk a little bit about my project–first though, a quick introduction for those of you who are new here (Hi! by the way, and welcome!).

My name is April Rosenthal. I design quilting patterns for my little business called Prairie Grass Patterns. I am a work-at-home mama to my sweeties: 4 year old twins, a boy and a girl. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart (awwww) for over 10 years, and I love the traditions that we’ve created together–which brings me to my project!

When I was told that the book would focus on celebrations, I was SO excited to see that they were looking for a Hanukkah project–I couldn’t wait to get started. One of our family traditions each holiday season is to celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah. My husband’s father grew up in a Jewish household, and though he later joined another faith–he always taught his children about Judiasm and celebrated some of the holidays with them. We’ve continued the tradition in our home, and love the added depth that these holidays bring to our more Christian-oriented celebrations.  We love lighting the menorah candles, singing songs, and playing with the dreidels. We love the reminder that miracles happen, and that God is merciful. We also love the potato latkes. Seriously.

So, I made a Hanukkah quilt.

I adore it.

And although I would wager that a majority of you don’t celebrate Hanukkah–don’t count this design out. It is remarkably versatile, and would look so fun in traditional Christmas colors, if that’s more your style. In fact, I mocked up a little example to show you what I mean.

See? Told you so. (Those fabrics? Aneela Hoey’s Cherry Christmas. So cute.)

And besides my fun quilt, you also get about a billion other projects in the book too. I can’t wait to get mine!

Oh, just for fun, I’ve got a couple questions to answer:

What is your favorite apron? My husband and I got matching white canvas aprons for our wedding as a gift. Monogrammed with our names and everything. It’s old, it’s stained, and it works like a dream. So even though there are much, much prettier ones out there–I wear this one most because I don’t feel bad getting it dirty. In fact, it’s a must when making those latkes I was talking about.

Do you prefer to celebrate with cupcakes, cake pops, or just plain old cake? Spice cake with cream cheese frosting. Every birthday. Yum.

When you picture Oda May, what does she look like? A hip chick who’s always mixing up something great with her precuts, her hair tied up with some scrap fabric, wearing a really great Tova top, and possessing some ninja-like skills with a rotary cutter and a 1/4″ seam allowance.(See Vanessa’s post for more about the ninja skills.)

SO. If you want a copy of Sweet Celebrations hot off the press, before anyone else, you should enter the giveaway here on my silly old blog. Because one lucky person will win not only a copy of the book, but also a Fat Quarter bundle, which you’ll want to use to make this really cool star quilt. Just saying.

If you want to win, here’s the deal:

Comment on this post answering this question: What is a tradition or belief your family has that is uniquely yours? It can be something fun, or serious, an activity or a food. Anything really.

For another entry (but just one extra) you can be my friend on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram (amrosenthal), Pinterest–whatever makes you happy. Make another comment to tell me which kind of friend you are.

You have until the 14th to get your entries in at each blog on the tour. Winners will be announced on the 19th.

As a final yahoo, I’m going to share the highly coveted Potato Latke recipe that I use every year for our annual Hanukkah party. Trust me, you’ll want to make these ASAP, and only when you’re ready to be worshipped by everyone who tastes them. Heh. Make sure you’re wearing a cute apron for all that attention.

You can download the card here.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Hanukkah!

xoxo

April

Posted in Uncategorized | 363 sweet comments

Garden’s Edge: a free quilt block! Blogger’s Bar Hop Quiltalong

Published October 9, 2012

Hello friends! Thanks for stopping by for my turn at the Bar Hop!I’m supposed to tell you something about bars, but the only kind of bar I have experience with is a Pumpkin Bar with Cream Cheese Frosting–and let me tell you–it beats any other bar I can think of. :) Anyone want the recipe?

I’m sure by now you know the drill, but just in case you’re not, I’ll explain a little. Scott of Blue Nickel Studios asked us to make a block using Kinkame’s European Taupe VIII collection by Clothworks. We were allowed to use up to two of our own fabrics, I chose a solid and a print.(The light aqua and the brown print.)

My block is quick and easy to put together, and would be a great way to use of all those scraps you have laying around. Seriously.

I love how this block turned out, and think it would make a really fun quilt. Your thoughts?

Here’s the pdf if you’d like to print it. Click here.

xoxo

April

PS Be sure to hop around and get the other fun blocks in this series! You don’t want to miss out.

PPS I got up at 6:25 am to go exercise this morning. It’s really dark that early. (But I DID it!)

Posted in Free Patterns | 6 sweet comments

What’s going on?

Published October 8, 2012

Fall is in full swing around here and I love love love it. October is easily my busiest month of the year, and this year has been no exception. With all the busy-ness, I wanted to pop in here and give a quick glimpse of what’s going on around here.

I’m sending out fabrics to my quilting bee ladies today (it’s my month! Yay!)

Sewing clothes for a dirty, well-loved monkey. Miss Lily picked out the fabric and the Christmas ribbon. :)

Admiring the leaves and taking long deep breaths of the (awesome) autumn air.

Watching the last soccer games of the season, and cheering on our favorite football teams.

Putting up my Halloween bunting (print yours here), decorations, and finishing up my table runner.

Getting my studio cleaned and put together.

Sewing, and sewing, and sewing for market, and getting my posts ready for the Blogger’s Bar Hop tomorrow and my turn on the Sweet Celebrations tour on Thursday (be sure to come back!) Schedules are here.

In the midst of all the things going on, I’m really trying to focus and be balanced. It’s easy for me to get caught up in the crazy and neglect that this time of year is my very favorite of all. We’re going to the little old man’s pumpkin stand tonight for Family Night to choose out Jack O’Lantern pumpkins, and we’re having Breakfast with a Witch on Thursday. I’m also trying to spend more time reading scriptures and having some quiet time for prayer and grounding before my day gets underway. Finally, a friend and I are getting up before the sun to exercise. I’ll be tired, but it’s time to get more movement into my schedule. If not now, when?

What’s going on with you? Is this your favorite time of year? Any suggestions (or encouragement) for my early morning exercise? (Trust me, I need it!)

xoxo

April

Posted in Balance, Daily Life, seasons | 6 sweet comments

Hopping!

Published October 2, 2012

First of all, I was hopping around the other day when these two magazines hit newsstands.

Why? Well, see that cover quilt up there on Simple Quilts and Sewing? I made it!! (And it made the cover!! Wooo!)

I’ve got another quilt right at the front of this month’s Quilt Trends magazine, too. I had a ton of fun making these quilts, and I’m excited to get them back so I can show you something fun. See, these magazine opportunities came because my Big City quilt was shown in the Free Spirit booth last quilt market. Each magazine contacted me and asked if I’d do a quilt for them using the same fabric line (Grand Hotel by Jenean Morrison). So, I did. And I can’t wait to show you how different three quilts made from the same fabric line can look, just by being selective about your color and design choices.

Another reason I’m hopping around? Today (actually yesterday) two different blog hops started, which I’ll participate in later in the month. Both are super fun, so for sure follow along! A little info about each:

The Moda Sweet Celebrations Blog Tour!

Come visit the blogs of the contributors to the Moda Bake Shop’s newest book, Sweet Celebrations. We’ll answer some strange questions, talk a little about and share our favorite recipe from our chosen holiday! Also, at each stop, you can enter to win a copy of the book (not even in stores yet!) and a Moda precut! Here’s the schedule:

Blog Tour Schedule

October 1 – StashBooks and Moda Cutting Table
October 4 – Lissa Alexander and Corey Yoder
October 5 – Jane Davidson and Angela Yosten
October 8 – Angela Mitchell and Ellie Roberts
October 9 – Katie Blakesley and Aneela Hoey
October 10 – Amy Smart and Angela Pingel
October 12 – Moda Bake Shop
October 14 – Readers have until midnight on the 14th to comment on all the blogs for the giveaways.
October 19 –Winners announced on all the blogs.

The Blogger’s Bar Hop Quiltalong!

Remember last year how I did the Chevron Dreams block for the Quilt Uberfest Quiltalong? Well, this year Scott of Blue Nickel Studios is at it again, which means you get 14 more free blocks to add to your repertoire! So hop along and get your free downloadable block pattern from each of these fine blogs:

October 1 Amy Ellis

October 2 Lynn Harris   

October 3   Heather Jones

October 4   Jacquie Kunkel 

October 5 Ashley Jones

October 6  Emily Cier 

October 7 Scott Hansen

October 8 Jan Peoples

October 9 April Rosenthal

October 10 Amy Lobsiger

October 11  Cara Quilts

October 12   Konda Luckau

October 13  Alethea Ballard

October 14 Charlie Scott

 

Finally, a lot more hopping happening because market is only a mere 3 weeks away, and I have an inhuman amount of work to get done. I may have to call in some reinforcements. Wish me luck (and hop along with me!)

xoxo

April

Posted in Daily Life, events, Giveaway, Holidays | 4 sweet comments

Geared for Guys Book Tour: Switchback

Published September 11, 2012

So. Here’s my quilt called Switchback. I made it because my friend Emily is having a little blog tour (with a giveaway at the end) and asked if I would. Since my own husband has been neglected in my quiltmaking, I let him choose which quilt I made, just for him. He is pretty pumped, because this quilt will be long enough to cover his toes when he takes a nap. Apparently throw quilts are a pet peeve of his, never long enough to put over arms and toes at the same time.

It’s super cute, and even a bit masculine, if you can believe that after all the girly stuff I do all the time.

Thanks to Emily, and her fun book Geared for Guys, my guy might just his own quilt one of these days.

He gave some specific guidelines regarding colors–when I asked him what colors it should be he said: Green, Orange, Pink, and Blue. Also brown. Oi. This guy likes to challenge my color skills.

I’m loving how it’s turning out, though. And when I asked him where he got the color scheme from, he said from his family of course. One color for each of us. Green for him, pink for Lily, Blue for Beckham, and orange for me. Of course. (Awww. Too cute. He never gets all sentimental and mushy like that.)

The original pattern calls for solids only, but I’m a rebel and threw some prints in there. I like it a lot.

I only have the middle of the quilt top finished, not the borders, because I have to ask you guys a question. Take a little poll, if you will.

The original quilt calls for white borders. I’m thinking of doing green instead. Since this will be used as a nap quilt, and loved and abused quite a bit, I think green borders are more…prudent? Also, I like to get wild every now and then.

So, let me know what you think. White? or Green? If it helps, I’m binding it with this awesome orange plaid, and backing it with a green and brown woven flannel.

Also, guys? You should totally buy Emily’s book. There’s about a billion (give or take) cool quilts in there, all of them super versatile and fun to make. If you can believe it, I think you’ll find something in there to make for anyone–guy or girl.

Oh, and as for the pictures, well, we’re on vacation and I was all excited to get a picture of my quilt taken in a new, exotic-to-me place. The wind, however, wasn’t anticipated. We ended up taking some pictures in a parking garage. The things I do, seriously. People were looking at me and old Mr. J like we’re certifiably nuts.(<—They might be right.) Oh, also, you’re getting unPhotoshopped photos today, since husband’s laptop doesn’t have Photoshop. Who knew? (sigh. sorry.)

Today we’re taking the kiddos to Disneyland. Wish me luck. (Pssst! All orders won’t be shipped until I get back, on Saturday–just like I mentioned in my last post. Thanks for being patient!) Also, for those of you who have contacted me about the coupon code not working today, you’re right. It expired on Saturday, as the sale went through 12pm so I had time to ship before I left.

xoxo

April

PS: This post brought to you by a really tired, been-in-the-car-with-kids-for-too-many-hours, mama who just needs some sleep. Pardon the punchiness.

PPS: Make sure you follow the rest of the blog hop, the schedule is below–and check out the posts the ladies before me did too. They’ve made some seriously cool quilts!

Sept 4: Erika from http://pinksuedeshoe.com/- High Voltage

Sept 5: Lisa from http://lovetocolormyworld.blogspot.com/- Helix

Sept 6: April M. from http://april-makingendsmeet.blogspot.com/ – OddBall

Sept 7: Vickie from http://www.spunsugarquilt.com/- Caution

Sept 8: Sinta from http://pinkpincushion.blogspot.com/- Ivy League

Sept 9: Marion from http://myquiltdiet.blogspot.com/- Gamer

Sept 10: Sherri from http://www.aquiltinglife.com/- Urban Decay

Sept 11: April R. from http://www.aprilrosenthal.com/ – Switchback

Sept 12: Tricia from http://notesofsincerity.blogspot.com/- Caution

Sept 13: Shannon from http://itssewshannon.blogspot.com/- Urban Decay

Sept 14: Shari from http://www.doohikeydesignstudio.com/blog/- Ivy League

Sept 15: Michael from http://patchworkandpaper.wordpress.com/- Helix

Sept 16: back to Emily for the giveaway!

 

PPPS: Tell me what you think! White borders, or green?

 

Posted in Quilts I've Made | 17 sweet comments

Parcheesi: Quilting Pattern #116

Published September 5, 2012

Hey friends! I wanted to post today and spotlight Parcheesi, and tell you a little more about it. Plus, I wanted to post a little treat for you guys, as a YAY for being featured on Moda’s Cutting Table blog today. (Stick around till the end of the post for the code, wink, wink.)

So here’s the thing. I’m basically obsessed with little tiny squares. Nearly every time I design a pattern, I end up scaling the individual blocks larger so you guys don’t really really hate me.

But Parcheesi came around, and I just couldn’t bring myself to omit the 1″ squares in the center of each block. (They’re not that tiny, right?) They just remind me of neat and tiny little garden. No idea why.

Then, of course, there’s the scrappy sashing. I just adore it.

I quilted it with these giant, overlapping chrysanthemums. Seriously. Took. Forever. But I think the quilting plays nicely with all the little tiny squares. (<–they’re not that tiny.)

Originally, I was going to call it Tile Garden, but it just didn’t stick. My Mom suggested Parcheesi, and I had to look it up, because I’ve never actually played.

She insisted it reminded her of an ornate Parcheesi board, and well, I really like cheese, so there you go. :)

The fabric I used in this quilt is Flora by Lauren + Jessi Jung for Moda. Not sure it’s out there much anymore, but this quilt would be GORGEOUS in their new line, Birds and Berries. SERIOUSLY, have you seen that purple? (You can find it here, here, here, here, and here.)

So, even though there are just a few (cough, cough) squares in this quilt, you should make it. Because the individual elements are each rather simple: straight lines, except for some flying geese.

And heck, it packs quite a punch when all is said and done.  You might even end up obsessed with little tiny squares like me. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Through Friday night, Parcheesi is on sale for $6 in my shop! Plus, get 15% off your entire order with code CHEESI. Be sure to get your orders in quick–I’ll be out of town next week–so if I don’t see your order by Saturday morning, it’s not going to ship until NEXT Saturday the 15th. Or, just get the PDF version. :)

Have a great Wednesday!

xoxo

PS I talk a bit about my current patterns, spill a few secrets about upcoming patterns and stuff on the blog, and answer some fun questions over at Moda’s Cutting Table today, go check it out!

Posted in Being a Designer, Quilt Patterns | 12 sweet comments

Longarm quilting: Kathy’s Mother-in-Law Sampler Quilt

Published August 29, 2012

I got a chance a while back to custom quilt this sampler for my friend Kathy–who made this for her Mother-in-Law for Christmas (how nice is she?). I learned a TON while I was doing it, including that it is impossible to make good looking straight lines without a ruler. (Good thing Kathy is patient with me.)

I did something different in every block, and had a lot of fun with it. In the borders, I did feathers, wishbones, and stacked ovals. This was actually the first quilt I tried feathers on, too. About a billion pictures follow, including some fun shots of the back.

Hope you’re having a fun week! I’ve been fighting off a nasty head cold/bug. Not so fun.

xoxo

April

Posted in Custom Quilting, Machine Quilting | 20 sweet comments

Works-in-progress…

Published August 17, 2012

Using these little charm packs to make a quick and easy (and just a little out of my comfort zone) quilt.

The colors are right up my alley, and so are the prints.  I’ve been a fan of Lotta’s long before she was creating fabric. In fact, I think I still have a stationery set from a few years ago on my Amazon wish list. :)

Ignore that this quilt needs to be pressed. There’s only so much daylight. The part that’s out of my comfort zone? That stretched me as a quilter just a bit this week? The asymmetry–and not just a little asymmetry, but a whole quilt full of it. I think it’s interesting that something can still be balanced even though it’s not the same on both sides.

I’m also working on deciding what baking project is worthy of these beautiful eggs from the chickens around the corner. (Thanks Sue!)

I’m working on living up the rest of the summer at the farmer’s markets with a fairy princess.

And her bodyguard, Batman. (Dang, they’re cute.)

I’m also working on a project with this…

Using a whole bunch of these–because hey. Soccer season just started. I’m chillin’ at the field 3 evenings a week and twice on Saturdays. Plus, Halloween is one of the best holidays around.

I’ll keep you posted.

What are you working on?

xoxo

April

PS Fabrics are Bella by Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics and Happy H”owl”-o-ween by Deb Strain for Moda

Posted in Daily Life, Family, Works in Progress | 2 sweet comments

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My name is April. I'm a quilt pattern designer, twin-mama, and color lover. Welcome to my little space, where I blog about all the things going on in my studio and creative life. Relax, and stay a while!

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