Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Are You Happy Yet?

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YES!!  I am very happy now.  Look how cute these little blocks are, who wouldn't smile to see them?

I have been dreaming of making a Kaleidoscope quilt, like Cindy at Hyacinth Designs made, but I have to wait for my special ruler to arrive.  As soon as it comes, I will start cutting out the next quilt in my future.  Meanwhile, since I am a creature who craves instant gratification, I had to start on something springy while I wait for the mailman to come.

This block is from a pattern called Maison Bleue by Crazy Old Ladies.  Adorable name for a company, don't you agree?  I have had the pattern for ages, but you can still buy it on the Crazy Old Ladies website.  The pattern is layer cake friendly, and the blocks go together very quickly.  Plus, you get to combine three different print fabrics in each block, which is a factor that really holds my interest when I am making a quilt.

So, what the heck is the fabric I am using?  Well, I have had it for years in my stash, but as my sister Kate says, "It doesn't go bad".  It is a Moda collection, I believe one of the first ones designed by Basic Grey, called Urban Couture.  Basic Grey started out as a paper design company, well known to scrap bookers.  Thank heavens they ventured into fabric design, because their stuff is great.

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The story of the fabric is a funny one.  Years ago, as I said, I was in an open sewing class at a quilt shop and a woman in the class was making the most stunning quilt out of this fabric group.  I absolutely planned to copy her and bought all the Urban Couture I could get my hands on, which amounted to ten or twelve fat quarters, a layer cake, some brown solid and the large brown floral print.  Then I cozied up to her and asked her what pattern she was using.  She claimed not to be using a pattern, just making something up.  She totally refused to share with me what she was doing.  O-kaaaaay.

I figured, no sweat, I was creative, I could come up with something.  But she wouldn't even allow a photo of what she was working on, so of course as soon as I was out of sight of it, I couldn't remember a single thing about the design.  So, this fabric collection has been sitting in my closet for, what, going on 10 years without me coming up with an idea. 

Not any more.  Hah.  I am going to have my very own happy Urban Couture quilt, and I don't mind sharing a bit how I am coming up with a design!

69 responses to “Are You Happy Yet?”

  1. Oh my goodness Nicole, those blocks are just adorable, I just love them. I’m not surprised you’re happy, I’d be thrilled!
    Be sure to have a great week
    *hugs*
    Tazzie
    🙂

  2. Oh my goodness Nicole, those blocks are just adorable, I just love them. I’m not surprised you’re happy, I’d be thrilled!
    Be sure to have a great week
    *hugs*
    Tazzie
    🙂

  3. Oh my goodness Nicole, those blocks are just adorable, I just love them. I’m not surprised you’re happy, I’d be thrilled!
    Be sure to have a great week
    *hugs*
    Tazzie
    🙂

  4. Love these blocks and their yummy fabrics!! What a good way to while away the time until your new ruler arrives and to enjoy your amazing creativity!
    I had to enlarge the photo of the blocks to see how they’re made, but you’re right, it looks simple! What size, are these “cute little blocks”, if you don’t mind my asking?
    Snow nearby but not here yet.
    Hugs!

  5. Love these blocks and their yummy fabrics!! What a good way to while away the time until your new ruler arrives and to enjoy your amazing creativity!
    I had to enlarge the photo of the blocks to see how they’re made, but you’re right, it looks simple! What size, are these “cute little blocks”, if you don’t mind my asking?
    Snow nearby but not here yet.
    Hugs!

  6. Love these blocks and their yummy fabrics!! What a good way to while away the time until your new ruler arrives and to enjoy your amazing creativity!
    I had to enlarge the photo of the blocks to see how they’re made, but you’re right, it looks simple! What size, are these “cute little blocks”, if you don’t mind my asking?
    Snow nearby but not here yet.
    Hugs!

  16. And I always thought quilters were friendly people who loved to share. I think your design is lovely. Thanks for being so friendly and for sharing.

  17. And I always thought quilters were friendly people who loved to share. I think your design is lovely. Thanks for being so friendly and for sharing.

  18. And I always thought quilters were friendly people who loved to share. I think your design is lovely. Thanks for being so friendly and for sharing.

  19. Are you singing the popular song ‘Happy’ while you’re sewing? I do love just about everything by Basic Grey! Their fabrics, Little Black Dress & the new LBD2 are all-time favorites!!! Thanks for sharing your progress!

  20. Are you singing the popular song ‘Happy’ while you’re sewing? I do love just about everything by Basic Grey! Their fabrics, Little Black Dress & the new LBD2 are all-time favorites!!! Thanks for sharing your progress!

  21. Are you singing the popular song ‘Happy’ while you’re sewing? I do love just about everything by Basic Grey! Their fabrics, Little Black Dress & the new LBD2 are all-time favorites!!! Thanks for sharing your progress!

  22. My daughter brought some of Basic Grey’s PB&J fabric to a retreat we were on and I just fell in love. I just finished “collecting” for a quilt that has been on my radar waiting for the right fabric.
    I am a bit blown away with the story of the quilter that didn’t share. I mean I definitely understand if she was planing to sell the pattern or something along those lines but that would be the only excuse I would accept. I have done my share of “free designing” and I never had a problem with sharing my notes. If you can make sense of them, the design is yours. lol! I guess not everyone is built the same.

  23. My daughter brought some of Basic Grey’s PB&J fabric to a retreat we were on and I just fell in love. I just finished “collecting” for a quilt that has been on my radar waiting for the right fabric.
    I am a bit blown away with the story of the quilter that didn’t share. I mean I definitely understand if she was planing to sell the pattern or something along those lines but that would be the only excuse I would accept. I have done my share of “free designing” and I never had a problem with sharing my notes. If you can make sense of them, the design is yours. lol! I guess not everyone is built the same.

  24. My daughter brought some of Basic Grey’s PB&J fabric to a retreat we were on and I just fell in love. I just finished “collecting” for a quilt that has been on my radar waiting for the right fabric.
    I am a bit blown away with the story of the quilter that didn’t share. I mean I definitely understand if she was planing to sell the pattern or something along those lines but that would be the only excuse I would accept. I have done my share of “free designing” and I never had a problem with sharing my notes. If you can make sense of them, the design is yours. lol! I guess not everyone is built the same.

  25. I am so glad you are willing to share, Nicole! Many of my someday projects are heavily influenced by your choices. If you have a plan for how to get more time in each day, I’ll be your first customer!
    Karen L.

  26. I am so glad you are willing to share, Nicole! Many of my someday projects are heavily influenced by your choices. If you have a plan for how to get more time in each day, I’ll be your first customer!
    Karen L.

  27. I am so glad you are willing to share, Nicole! Many of my someday projects are heavily influenced by your choices. If you have a plan for how to get more time in each day, I’ll be your first customer!
    Karen L.

  28. Well it did make me happy when I saw those wonderful blocks. You might have to put “Happy” in the name of this quilt! “Maison Happy” maybe, or, to be really French about it, “Maison Heureuse” or Maison Joyeuse”

  29. Well it did make me happy when I saw those wonderful blocks. You might have to put “Happy” in the name of this quilt! “Maison Happy” maybe, or, to be really French about it, “Maison Heureuse” or Maison Joyeuse”

  30. Well it did make me happy when I saw those wonderful blocks. You might have to put “Happy” in the name of this quilt! “Maison Happy” maybe, or, to be really French about it, “Maison Heureuse” or Maison Joyeuse”

  31. Love this fabric ! Cute blocks and perfect fabric for this quilt . I made a Maison Bleue quilt. So fun to make and it is one of my fabric quilts. I will try to find my picture of have and email it to you .

  32. Love this fabric ! Cute blocks and perfect fabric for this quilt . I made a Maison Bleue quilt. So fun to make and it is one of my fabric quilts. I will try to find my picture of have and email it to you .

  33. Love this fabric ! Cute blocks and perfect fabric for this quilt . I made a Maison Bleue quilt. So fun to make and it is one of my fabric quilts. I will try to find my picture of have and email it to you .

  40. Hi Nicole! I was wondering if you could share with me the quilting pattern’s maker of the “Daisy Pattern” you had Mary quilt for you back in July? I don’t know how to reach you other then here. Thanks, Carol, the jewelry bag girl.

  41. Hi Nicole! I was wondering if you could share with me the quilting pattern’s maker of the “Daisy Pattern” you had Mary quilt for you back in July? I don’t know how to reach you other then here. Thanks, Carol, the jewelry bag girl.

  42. Hi Nicole! I was wondering if you could share with me the quilting pattern’s maker of the “Daisy Pattern” you had Mary quilt for you back in July? I don’t know how to reach you other then here. Thanks, Carol, the jewelry bag girl.

  43. Why are people like that? I was in a quilt guild for one year and constantly had to deal with people like that. I quit after one year. NEVER EVER AGAIN. Those same people have no qualms asking for things from you! Ooops. I ranted. Sorry! ;p
    I love what you’re making. 😛

  44. Why are people like that? I was in a quilt guild for one year and constantly had to deal with people like that. I quit after one year. NEVER EVER AGAIN. Those same people have no qualms asking for things from you! Ooops. I ranted. Sorry! ;p
    I love what you’re making. 😛

  45. Why are people like that? I was in a quilt guild for one year and constantly had to deal with people like that. I quit after one year. NEVER EVER AGAIN. Those same people have no qualms asking for things from you! Ooops. I ranted. Sorry! ;p
    I love what you’re making. 😛

  49. OMGosh! I have always loved the kaleidoscope quilt too! I have been trying to get the blocks 12 inches. If you figure that out~ please share! And pooh on the lady who wouldn’t share with you. That is not the quilter’s spirit! Have a happy day!

  50. OMGosh! I have always loved the kaleidoscope quilt too! I have been trying to get the blocks 12 inches. If you figure that out~ please share! And pooh on the lady who wouldn’t share with you. That is not the quilter’s spirit! Have a happy day!

  51. OMGosh! I have always loved the kaleidoscope quilt too! I have been trying to get the blocks 12 inches. If you figure that out~ please share! And pooh on the lady who wouldn’t share with you. That is not the quilter’s spirit! Have a happy day!

  58. Love your happy blocks! It’s too funny about that lady, some people are just like that. I love when someone copies me, I’m a total enabler 🙂

  59. Love your happy blocks! It’s too funny about that lady, some people are just like that. I love when someone copies me, I’m a total enabler 🙂

  60. Love your happy blocks! It’s too funny about that lady, some people are just like that. I love when someone copies me, I’m a total enabler 🙂

  61. I have always loved that fabric line by BG. You share and inspire… because you are nice. That’s what I love about most quilters. They love to share. Um, or as the person above said: “enable”! ha!

  62. I have always loved that fabric line by BG. You share and inspire… because you are nice. That’s what I love about most quilters. They love to share. Um, or as the person above said: “enable”! ha!

  63. I have always loved that fabric line by BG. You share and inspire… because you are nice. That’s what I love about most quilters. They love to share. Um, or as the person above said: “enable”! ha!

  64. I own this pattern too and have not used it yet. I’m leaning toward a fig tree fabric collection. It is pretty,lots of background, and easy, so a nice gift in a throw size

  65. I own this pattern too and have not used it yet. I’m leaning toward a fig tree fabric collection. It is pretty,lots of background, and easy, so a nice gift in a throw size

  66. I own this pattern too and have not used it yet. I’m leaning toward a fig tree fabric collection. It is pretty,lots of background, and easy, so a nice gift in a throw size

  67. I love the block design you’re making. Some people are a bit precious aren’t they? Which is kind of unusual because I usually find quilters so sharing and open. Was she someone famous coming up with her own design? Or just not open to sharing?

  68. I love the block design you’re making. Some people are a bit precious aren’t they? Which is kind of unusual because I usually find quilters so sharing and open. Was she someone famous coming up with her own design? Or just not open to sharing?

  69. I love the block design you’re making. Some people are a bit precious aren’t they? Which is kind of unusual because I usually find quilters so sharing and open. Was she someone famous coming up with her own design? Or just not open to sharing?