Guess What?

I just learned that Sandi Blackwell, of Square-agonals fame, is now a Craftsy Instructor.  I'm so excited for her.  Way to go Sandi!!!

This is a photo of Sandi from back in 2010 when I first met her.  Sandi has since published three books and several patterns that teach her method of quilting.  What I really am taken by is that she doesn't sew angles...no triangles!  She does however teach people how to sew together squares and later cut them into pieces that turn out to be amazingly placed angles....or to use her term, "Square-agonals."

 I've had the good fortune to host giveaways for Sandi's books....you may recall the most recent two:

 

Simply Sensational Square-agonals Quilts 

 Square-Agonals 12 Easy Pieces

For those who don't like piecing triangles or on point settings....you can definitely rely on Sandi to teach you how to accomplish amazing and beautiful quilts.  I'm a visual learner so videos and classes are better than books typically...now you can check Sandi out at Craftsy dot com.

I've taken a few Craftsy Classes now and I've been very pleased.  I like that once I pay for the class, I own it forever.  I just sign in and I can view or review the video anytime I want.  Since the class is stored on their server, I don't even have to wonder where my DVD's are, if they are scratched, or have to dust them...I just head over to my computer and sign in.

I'm so happy for Sandi and I am grateful to Sandi for letting me share with the quilting world that she is now a Craftsy Instructor.

A note from Sandi:
Kelly, thank you so much for sharing my big news! However my class won't be released until spring, you won't find it yet! But I will keep you posted....thanks again for spreading the word!

Big Happy Smiles,
Kelly
 

Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts - Book Review and Giveaway

Sandi Blackwell is such a lovely woman.  I could not attend Quilt Market this past year so Sandi brought Market to me :)  She sent me her newest book and several patterns to review and give away on my blog.  Can I get a loud Woooo Hooooo for Sandi!!!  She just ROCKS!!!

From the moment I watched Sandi demonstrate how she sews squares together and then turns them into complicated quilt patterns I was blown away.  She uses science to make beautiful quilt pattern designs. 

 Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts by Sandi Blackwell

 I have to be honest and tell you that I would not be willing to cut my fabric on a diagonal and sew the bias edges back together again.  I have enough trouble keeping everything square and I don't want headaches.  I'm sure that is why I was so tickled to see Sandi's method.

The diagram on the back of Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts is an excellent visual description of how Sandi manages to turn a bunch of squares into a beautiful on-point quilt.  First you sew all the squares together and then you cut them on a diagonal and re-sew those pieces together.  Yes, you do have bias edges and I did say I don't like bias edges.  Sandi demonstrates how she keeps those edges stable by using her tape.  It isn't required to use it, but for folks like me...I'd use it.

 Cutting Guide Tape

Arrow Guide Tape

As I said, you don't have to use the additional Guide Tapes but they are helpful if you are like me and gets things mixed up and wonky.  Sandi also provides templates in her book for the Arrow's that you can print and use as well.

I assure you that with the visual guides and very well written instructions you can make a beautiful quilt like Strawberry Fields without having to cut all those small bias edges.

Strawberry Fields Quilt pattern from Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts

 I just love the  Strawberry Fields pattern.  It is bright, cheerful and can be made with a huge variety of fun fabrics.  There isn't a pattern in this book that I don't like which is a real compliment coming from me.  Typically there are only a few quilts in a book that I am drawn to and I'm drawn to every one of Sandi's quilts.  Just look at the cover of the book....isn't that just a stunning quilt?

Did I mention a giveaway?  I sure did :)

I will be giving away an autographed copy of Simply Sensational Square-Agonals Quilts this Friday to one very lucky person AND 4 other very lucky people will be given one of Sandi's patterns.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sandi has Free Pattern Downloads, you don't want to miss those!!!

Jack Blackwell wrote an article that was published in Quiltposium Magazine that you may enjoy reading.

 CLICK HERE and scroll down to read the article

Smiles,
Kelly

Winter Is Here : Sandi Blackwell's Square-agonals Re-Review and Giveaway

Winter has arrived in Ohio and here is the  proof

IHAN Headquarters has been full with family for several days. 

Maddy, our youngest daughter, Abby and James (R-L) are visiting ...there has been lots of decorating, arts and crafts, games and of course dress up too.

 Aaron's version of a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree (that is play dough on the branches)

"Momma, are you interested in buying a snack...they are 25cents each?"

Zach decided he needed to raise a little holiday cash.  He walked around Headquarters offering to sell snacks to those who may need a little nosh!  (Paying twice for your groceries isn't always a bad thing..lol)

On to our Giveaway:

Square-gonals by Sandi Blackwell

You may remember my first review of Square-agonals (click here if you don't) and how impressed I was and am with Sandi Blackwell's NO MATH method of making triangles and on-point blocks go together without the fuss and muss.  Sandi's Square-agonal Method will take you from fabric that looks like the sample on the left to the fabric on the right...without ever setting in a triangle.  Since her book has come out she now has some fun patterns and guide tapes.

Square-agonals Cutting Guide Tape - gives you a visual guide for the cutting and re-assembling process of your quilt sections as well as securing the bias edges. The tape can also be used as a guide for cutting of any quilt or fabric.

 Square-agonals Arrow Guide Tape - makes it simple for you to mark the numbered sections of your layout design.

Sandi just so happened to be in Houston for Fall Quilt Market 2011 and look at all the beautiful patterns she bestowed upon me...and another autographed copy of her Square-agonals book. 

If you leave a comment on this post promising me you will make a quilt/table runner/place mat/etc. using one of Sandi's patterns, I will put your name in the drawing to win.  There will be three winners, one for Square-agonals book, and two others will receive a Square-agonals pattern.  Entry comments close Monday Dec. 12, 2011.

IHAN's newest spokesperson...Rad Zach

Rad Zach wants everyone to know that IHAN does have Gift Certificates available for holiday gift giving. 

AND

To see IHAN's Holiday Gift Giving Guide and our other Holiday Specials you MUST enter your e-mail address in the " Newsletter Subscribe Here" on the upper right hand side of this blog post. 

Smiles,

Kelly

Winner of Square-agonals Giveaway and an EQ Lesson Invite

Square-agonals by Sandi Blackwell.....an autographed copy....oh yeah baby.....goes to:

Cbar said... 54

I love using simple creative methods to achieve complicated quilt patterns. This is one book I have to have.
november 30, 2010 9:06 PM

Cbar does not have a blog so when you see this post, please e-mail me at IHaveANotion@yahoo.com with your name and address and I'll get your book in the mail on Monday.

I really appreciate all the great comments.  It is nice to read the comments and know I'm not alone in my appreciation for Sandi's process.  What a wonderful way to teach others how to make quilts set on point without all the fear that most of us have about messing it up. 

By the way, a  little birdie told me about an Electric Quilt Lesson by  Benni Harper.  It is "Mystery Lesson 10: Sunshine and Shadow"  I think all of us with Electric Quilt Software need to throw caution to the wind and have a few minutes to ourselves.  I know I want to continue to further my knowledge about my EQ 7 Software and I don't always make time to enjoy learning more about what I already have.  I made a commitment to do this Lesson....why don't you join me? 

Smiles,
Kelly

Square-agonals - A New Angle On Quilting

I had the very good fortune of meeting Sandi Blackwell in Houston for Quilt Market 2010.  Sandi's first book is Very Impressive!!!  Each time I go to Market I typically find one book or tool that I've never seen before and I think is innovative and truly new.  This time it was Sandi's book entitled, " Square-agonals." 

 

Square-agonals is a New Angle on Quilting

No Math!

No Cutting or Setting Triangles!

Turn Easy-Stitched Blocks and Rows into Stunning Diagonal Designs

I know many quilters who cringe when they see the word triangle. Sandi has developed a method where you sew blocks together in rows and no triangles!!  I won't give away all the magic of the book but I will show you a few photos I took that gives you a little glimpse into how it is done.....just so you know you can do it too :)

Although Sandi explains the mathematics behind Square-agonlas you don't need to understand the method in order to make any of the 14 patterns in the book. 

The blocks are sewn together in rows and then the quilt gets cut into three sections and reassembled ....that is what gives you the diagonal set design. 

You are looking at how the fabric was cut and the tape is "Arrow Guide Tape."  The tape makes a great visual guide for cutting as well as stabilizes the bias fabric that you cut.  You don't have to purchase the "Arrow Guide Tape" to use her method either....she told us we could use our own tape but that she has developed the tape just to keep things simple.  I like that!!

When it is sewn back together this is what you have....a diagonal set design without having to ever sew one of those little triangles!!!  Now you know why I was impressed right? 

Isn't it amazing that Sandi has figured out how to go from the blocks on the left to the beautiful table runner on the right?  (not to scale of course...I know someone was thinking....miracle grow for fabric right?)

You have to click here and see all of the quilts that have been made using Sandi's Square-agonals method.  You'll be really surprised to see how incredible they are and no one had to sew a triangle. 

I made certain  I was in line to get an autographed copy of Sandi's book, Square-agonals,  for one very lucky IHAN blog reader.  I was not going to miss this one!!!  So if you would like to have a chance to own an autographed copy of Square-agonals please leave a comment on this post telling me why you would like to own this book.  I will choose a winner by random on Friday night December, 3rd. 

Smiles,

Kelly