Block Mania Blog Hope Wanderlust Block

Yay!  We are finally on to Block 12 of the Block Mania Blog Hop! I can’t thank you enough for following along and coming back each month for your free block! Have you made any of our previous blocks yet? If so, please send us a picture at Heidi@thewhimsicalworkshop.com or share it with us in the comments below. I would love to see what you’ve created! 

If this is your first time stopping by for a free block, welcome; we’re so glad you’re here! Make sure to subscribe to be notified each month for the free blocks.

The theme for this month’s block was “Travel”, with a cool color palette. As many of us are looking to start traveling, I had so many ideas for this block. I have been working on two characters named Elliott and Garnett and thought it would be great to introduce them in the last block of this series. Make sure to check out the video for the story behind these two cuties and for a flip through of  all 12 blocks!

I hope you have enjoyed this month’s free block. Make sure to visit all the other designers on the Blog hop to collect your free Travel blocks!

Each month a group of top designers in the quilting industry will each create a FREE 12” block that fits the month’s theme and color palette. We will all post our blocks on the first Tuesday of the Month. You can hop from blog to blog to learn more about each designer and collect your free block pattern. This month’s theme is “Travel” and I created our adorable "Wanderlust" block for you. The pattern is available on our website. The Block Mania Blocks will only be available free of charge for the first two months afterwards they will be for sale for $5.00 as a digital download.

Make sure to check out all the different Travel blocks from my fellow Block Mania Blog Hop Designers with the links below! You can also join our Facebook Group for Block Mania Here!

Bridge Quilt block by Carolina Moore

Lucky is on the road again at Puppy Girl Designs
Scenic Route by Slice of Pi Quilts
Travel to the Woods by Oh Kaye Quilting
Embark by Inquiring Quilter
Delectable Mountains at PhoebeMoon Designs
Treasure Chest Star by Blue Bear Quilts
Wanderlust by Heidi Pridemore
On the Water by Patti's Patchwork
Come Sail Away by Mom and Me Quilting Co.
Wish You Were Here at Pretty Piney Quilts
Pack It Up by QuiltFabrication
Me and Bobby McGee at Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Wild Blue Yonder at Perkins Dry Goods
Take a Hike by Devoted Quilter
Into the Blue at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
T-Shirt Fun at The Quilting Room with Mel
Stitch and Flip Mountain Block

Block Mania Blog Hop-Three Amigos

 

We have made it to Block 11 of the Block Mania Blog Hop! I can’t thank you enough for following along and coming back for this next free block! Have you made any of our previous blocks yet? If so, please send us a picture at Heidi@thewhimsicalworkshop.com or share it with us in the comments below. I would love to see what you’ve created! 

If this is your first time stopping by for a free block, welcome; we’re so glad you’re here! Make sure to subscribe to be notified each month for the free blocks.

The theme for this month’s block was “International”, with no corresponding color palette. This month's challenge was that it let you do almost anything. So many choices, so I went back and checked the previous animals in the past 10 blocks and realized I did not have any cats! Since the majority of my family are cat people, I could not miss adding our feline friends to the block series.

For inspiration I did not have far to look.... Both of my sisters have cats and my little sister dresses her cats up and photographs them. If this is your cup of tea you can follow them over on Instagram 

@Macmouser_olion and @NavarreBlackWolf

First up is sweet Duncan MacMouser. Whenever we go home to visit, Duncan just wants me to sit on the couch and hold him. He can be scrappy if needed and shows his twin brother who is boss! In the photo above he is dressed for Halloween as a Scotsman. So for our block I followed suit and made him the representative for Scotland!

Next up, we have Dandy O'Lion. He is Duncan's Twin and is afraid of everything. He also loves to cry outside our door when we visit at 4:00am and NOTHING will make him stop. So he is our alarm clock on our visits! That being said he is a love once he gets to know you.

I had designed him in a poncho and sombrero. It was so funny because my sister had a photo of him in the same hat. So he became our Hispanic Cat for this month. He is so regal!

Finally we have Navarre Black Wolf, he is our office buddy when I go home. He hangs out with us near the printer and loves when I print anything. He is just a big love and just drapes himself over your shoulder when you pick him up!

I had also sketched him as our Cowboy Cat and shocker, my sister had a photo of him in a cowboy hat.

You can hear more about these adorable cats in our YouTube video this week.

I hope you have enjoyed this month’s free block. Make sure to visit all the other designers on the Blog hop to collect your free International blocks!

Each month a group of top designers in the quilting industry will each create a FREE 12” block that fits the month’s theme and color palette. We will all post our blocks on the first Tuesday of the Month. You can hop from blog to blog to learn more about each designer and collect your free block pattern. This month’s theme is “International” and I created our adorable "Three Amigos" block for you. The pattern is available on our website. The Block Mania Blocks will only be available free of charge for the first two months afterwards they will be for sale for $5.00 as a digital download.

Make sure to check out all the different International blocks from my fellow Block Mania Blog Hop Designers with the links below! You can also join our Facebook Group for Block Mania Here!

Holland Windmill by Carolina Moore
Dutch Mill Tulips by Perkins Dry Goods
International Airport by The Quilted Diary
Three Amigos by Heidi Pridemore
Making Memories by Blue Heron Quilting
World's Fair by Blue Bear Quilts
Highlander by Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Love One Another by Faith and Fabric
International Space Station by Duck Creek Mountain quilting
Friends by QuiltFabrication
World Trip by Patti's Patchwork
Hollyhock Flower by PhoebeMoon Designs
Olympic Rings by Slice of Pi Quilts
All Together Now by Inquiring Quilter
Butterfly Block by Oh Kaye Quilting
Coming Together by Cotton Street Commons
Friends Around the World by Appliques Quilts and More
Greek Cross by Mom and Me Quilting Co
Caracalla by Pretty Piney Quilts
Walking Together
Mystery Quilt: The Kids

Block Mania Bog Hop-Super Grad and Puppy Update

 

We have made it to Block 10 of the Block Mania Blog Hop! I can’t thank you enough for following along and coming back for this next free block! Have you made any of our previous blocks yet? If so, please send us a picture at Heidi@thewhimsicalworkshop.com or share it with us in the comments below. I would love to see what you’ve created! 

If this is your first time stopping by for a free block, welcome; we’re so glad you’re here! Make sure to subscribe to be notified each month for the free blocks.

We are quickly coming to the end of 12 blocks. Once we finish them I will be turning all of these adorable blocks into one great quilt pattern. I cannot wait to see how this turns out!

The theme for this month’s block was “Graduate”, with a corresponding color palette of Red White and Blue. This month's Challenge was to figure out which animal should be the graduate. Since we just adopted a Great Pyrenees puppy who will be starting obedience school soon, my inspiration was sitting right next to me!

Now let’s get started crafting our newest block! In this month's companion video, I went over the inspiration for the block and how to finish the edges! I also share with you an update on our sweet puppy, Doodles who is almost 6 months old. You can check out the video below

I<

I hope you have enjoyed this month’s free block. Make sure to visit all the other designers on the Blog hop to collect your free Graduate blocks!

Each month a group of top designers in the quilting industry will each create a FREE 12” block that fits the month’s theme and color palette. We will all post our blocks on the first Tuesday of the Month. You can hop from blog to blog to learn more about each designer and collect your free block pattern. This month’s theme is “Graduate” and I created our adorable "Super Grad" block for you. The pattern is available on our website. The Block Mania Blocks will only be available free of charge for the first two months afterwards they will be for sale for $5.00 as a digital download.

Make sure to check out all the different Rain blocks from my fellow Block Mania Blog Hop Designers with the links below! You can also join our Facebook Group for Block Mania Here!

Award Ribbon by Carolina Moore
Graduation Day by Sarah Marcina
Super Grad by Heidi Pridemore
Class of 2021
Wise Owl by Blue Bear Quilts
Dear Mr. Vernon . . .
Graduation scroll by Duck Creek mountain Quilting
Grad Cap by QuiltFabrication
Graduating Steps by Patti's Patchwork
Butterflies are Free by PhoebeMoon Designs
Lucky graduates from Puppy Academy
Party Banner by Slice of Pi Quilts
Success by Inquiring Quilter
Hooray for Me!
Graduation Cap at Oh Kaye Quilting
Up, Up, & Away by Pretty Piney Quilts
I DID IT by Cotton Street Commons
Owl Graduate by Appliques Quilts and More
Shining Star by Color My World

Road to California AT Home!

Get ready, Get Set and DON’T pack your bags! We are once again participating in Road to California's "Road At Home" in May. This time around it is all about Quilting Education. We have you covered if you are a quilt hobbyist or a budding quilt designer. We are doing two lectures that we normally only do for guilds and two lectures that we only do at professional trade shows. So, sit back, relax, and take one of our 4 exclusive lectures from the comfort of your own home! If you have ever wondered what it is like to be a professional designer in the quilt world or looking for tool recommendations, check out our classes below ( Please note: All class times are in Pacific Standard Time, so plan accordingly for your time zone.):

FL04 - Designing Patterns For The Fabric Industry

Friday, May 21st, 2021 One day

From 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (PST)

Faculty: Heidi Pridemore

Fee $20.00

Description: Ever wonder what it’s like to be behind the scenes, creating patterns for major fabric companies and magazines to share with the world? In this lecture, Heidi Pridemore will walk you through this process from her experienced and unique point of view. Heidi’s approach to design focuses on a variety of techniques meant to inspire you as you work on your next project. Over the years, she has designed thousands of quilts that appeared in major quilting magazines and have been shown by national fabric companies. This lecture includes a trunk show of some of Heidi’s favorite projects.

SAP01 - Getting Started On Setting Up A Successful YouTube Channel

Saturday, May 22nd, 2021 One day

From 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (PST)

Faculty: Heidi Pridemore

Fee $34.00

Description: So you have set up your YouTube Channel and are ready to start creating content for your channel; now what? In this seminar, Heidi Pridemore will share with you the tips and tricks she has discovered in the past 6 months while creating her YouTube Channel "The Whimsical Workshop". She will cover how to plan content, how to create a title that will get views, thumbnails, keywords, and more. She will talk about how to cross market and give tips on getting your content seen. As a beginner to YouTube, Heidi will share her experience with what has worked and what to avoid as you begin your own YouTube Channel.

 

SUL05 - A Few Of My Favorite Things

Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 One day

From 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM (PST)

Faculty: Heidi Pridemore

Fee $20.00

Description: In this lecture, Heidi will share her tried and true insider tips, tricks and tools that she uses every day while running The Whimsical Workshop Studio. You’ll learn how to get the most out of your tools and equipment, shortcuts to save time while cutting, and tips for construction and finishing projects. The Whimsical Workshop team has made over 1000 quilts for fabric companies, quilting magazines and their own retail website. In this lecture, Heidi is excited to showcase some of her favorite projects with you.

SUP01 - What Makes A Great Pattern With Heidi Pridemore

Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 One day

From 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM (PST)

Faculty: Heidi Pridemore

Fee $34.00

Description: Heidi shares with you her 25+ years of experience in how to write a great pattern. She has written and published patterns for Books, Magazines and Fabric Companies as well as ghost writing for many popular designers. In this class we will go over all the parts of a pattern, the best way to explain a task through words and images and tips and tricks to writing an excellent pattern for your designs.

 

You can head over to  https://online.roadtocalifornia.com/ to sign up for the lectures above and check out Road to California's Blog this week where I was featured this week for more information.

https://www.road2ca.com/blog/2021/04/16/heidi-pridemore-roadhome-may/

I hope to see you there!

 

 

 

I Love Rainy Days Block Mania Blog Hop

 

Can you believe we are on month nine of the Block Mania Blog Hop! I can’t thank you enough for following along and coming back for this next free block! Have you made any of our previous blocks yet? If so, please send us a picture at Heidi@thewhimsicalworkshop.com or share it with us in the comments below. I would love to see what you’ve created! 

If this is your first time stopping by for a free block, welcome; we’re so glad you’re here! Make sure to subscribe to be notified each month for the free blocks.

All of our previous block patterns and SVG files are available on our website, www.thewhimsicalworkshop.com under Patterns. So make sure to collect them all! 

We are quickly coming to the end of 12 blocks. Once we finish them I will be turning all of these adorable blocks into one great quilt pattern. I cannot wait to see how this turns out!

The theme for this month’s block was “Rain”, with a corresponding color palette of all cool colors. I have to say I struggled a bit on this theme and was not sure what I was going to do until the deadline was looming. Matthew helped me out with the idea of a frog under a flower. Once I had the idea, it just all came together. I decided to call it "I Love Rainy Days" and here is the link to the pattern.

Now let’s get started crafting our newest block! In this month's companion video, I went over my process for selecting the fabrics for this block and then assembled the block. You can check out the video below

This month’s block features an assortment of basics from our friends

at Benartex Fabrics and Windham Fabrics. You’ll need a mix of greens,

blue, black, white with a splash of pink. Here is what I can up with.

Now download the pattern and grab your fabric and favorite

fusible web (mine is Hot Fix available here) to trace and

cut the shapes for this block.

To cut the shapes this month, I used my Cricut cutter to make

it a snap. The pattern includes full-size reversed templates

for the traditional method too.

Next, it’s time to pull out your appli-fuse sheet and placement drawing so we can start assembling our sweet frog. Our little Froggy does not have a name. Do you have any ideas?

Follow the free pattern to make your background and now it is time to position and press our froggy and her umbrella to the background.

Now that the big pieces are in place, it is time to add the the raindrops to the background. When you are adding your rain drops, make sure none of them make it under the flower umbrella. No One likes a leaky umbrella.

Now that we have our block assembled, it’s time to pick out your favorite Aurifil threads for the finishing stitch and move to the sewing machine. As always, I am using Aurifil 50wt threads.

Now it is time to finish the edges, so let's hop over to the machine. You can check out one of my many video tutorials to finish the edges over on our YouTube Channel "The Whimsical Workshop". 

And there you go, now you've got a finished "I Love Rainy Days" block!

I hope you have enjoyed this month’s free block. Make sure to visit all the other designers on the Blog hop to collect your free Rains blocks!

Each month a group of top designers in the quilting industry will each create a FREE 12” block that fits the month’s theme and color palette. We will all post our blocks on the first Tuesday of the Month. You can hop from blog to blog to learn more about each designer and collect your free block pattern. This month’s theme is “Rain” and I created our adorable "I Love Rainy Days" block for you. The pattern is available on our website. The Block Mania Blocks will only be available free of charge for the first two months afterwards they will be for sale for $5.00 as a digital download.

Make sure to check out all the different Rain blocks from my fellow Block Mania Blog Hop Designers with the links below! You can also join our Facebook Group for Block Mania Here!

Rainbow of raindrops by Carolina Moore    
Raindrops by Perkins Dry Goods
Rainy Day Walk Home by The Quilted Diary
Raindrop by Blockofthemodotcom
I Love Rainy Days by Heidi Pridemore
Petrichor by Althea Gyde
Gray Skies are Gonna Clear Up by Blue Bear Quilts
Rain from Heaven by Faith and Fabric
Umbrella and Gumboots by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
April Showers by QuiltFabrication
Pouring Rain by Patti's Patchwork
Spring Crocus by PhoebeMoon Designs
Playing in the Rain by Puppy Girl Designs
Rainy Day by Studio R Quilts
Rain Showers by Slice of Pi Quilts
Rain by Oh Kaye Quilting
Doves in the rain by Sara Flynn
April Showers by Inquiring Quilter
Rain Will Make the Flowers Grow by Devoted Quilter
I've Got Sunshine on a Rainy Day
Let it Rain
Splish-Splash by Pretty Piney Quilts
April Showers by Cotton Street Commons
Rain on the Window

Block Mania Blog Hop for March-Dottie's Garde

 

It’s now month eight of the Block Mania Blog Hop! I can’t thank you enough for following along and coming back for this next free block! Have you made any of our previous blocks yet? If so, please send us a picture at Heidi@thewhimsicalworkshop.com or share it with us in the comments below. I would love to see what you’ve created! 

If this is your first time stopping by for a free block, welcome; we’re so glad you’re here! All 7 of our previous block patterns and SVG files are available on our website, www.thewhimsicalworkshop.com. So make sure to collect them all! 

The theme for this month’s block is “Flowers”, with a corresponding color palette of Reds, Pinks and Greens. I was inspired to create Dottie the Ladybug in her flower garden.  Here are the links to the pattern and SVG files for Dottie.

I hope you’ve been having as much fun meeting these characters, as I’ve had in creating them. Comment below with your favorite so far, or if there’s an animal you’re still hoping we’ll create for an upcoming block. 

Now let’s get started crafting our newest friend, Dottie!

To see how I assemble this block, be sure to watch the video to learn more about the block and finished design while I put everything together. I will be covering tips on finishing the edges of small pieces and how to create Dottie.

This month’s block features an assortment of basics from our friends at

Benartex Fabrics. You’ll need a mix of reds, pinks, greens, black and white.

Now download the pattern and grab your favorite fusible web

(mine is Hot Fix available here) to trace and cut the shapes for

this block.

Next, it’s time to pull out your appli-fuse sheet and placement drawing so we can start assembling Dottie. Start with the smaller areas and built out to the wings. Make sure to check out the video for the block for tips to line up the dots on the wings.

Next up is to create the flowers on an appli-fuse sheet to make assembling the entire block a snap.

You’ll also need to make a gentle curved bottom for the block. If this is a new technique for you, don’t be discouraged! I’ve already got a quick YouTube video tutorial ready for you.

Once you have your background it is time to position and press Dottie and her flowers in place. I recommend placing Dottie down first (DO NOT PRESS) and arrange the flowers as desired and then once you are happy press her in place.

Now that we have our block assembled, it’s time to pick out your favorite Aurifil threads for the finishing stitch and move to the sewing machine. As always, I am using Aurifil 50wt threads.

In the block video above, I share with you tips on how to finish the edges of these small shapes and how to add the embroidery swirl to each lollipop flower.

And there you go, now you've got a finished Dottie block!

I hope you have enjoyed this month’s free block. Make sure to visit all the other designers on the Blog hop to collect your free Flowers blocks!

Each month a group of top designers in the quilting industry will each create a FREE 12” block that fits the month’s theme and color palette. We will all post our blocks on the first Tuesday of the Month. You can hop from blog to blog to learn more about each designer and collect your free block pattern. This month’s theme is “Flowers” and I created our adorable "Dottie's Flower Garden" block for you. The pattern is available on our website. The Block Mania Blocks will only be available free of charge for the first two months afterwards they will be for sale for $5.00 as a digital download.

Make sure to check out all the different flower blocks from my fellow Block Mania Blog Hop Designers with the links below! You can also join our Facebook Group for Block Mania Here!

Orchid Quilt Block by Carolina Moore

Rose Garden by Slice of Pi Quilts
Happy Flowers by Carolyn Burgess
Double Flower by Devoted Quilter
Faux Flowers by Blockofthemodotcom
Mod Tulip
Enchanting Echinacea
Rosebud Wreath at Patti's Patchwork
Flower Power - Cotton Street Commons
Dottie's Garden by Heidi Pridemore
Poppies by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Pretty Posies at Perkins Dry Goods
Mittens Smells the Roses at Puppy Girl Designs
Wildflowers by Studio R Quilts
Sweetheart Rose by QuiltFabrication
Flower Patch at Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Scattered Petals by Snowy Days Quilting
Scrappy Tulip by Katie Mae Quilts
Happy Bloom Block by Oh Kaye Quilting
Buzz along
Everything's Coming Up Roses by Inquiring Quilter
Spring Posies by Blue Bear Quilts
Four Roses
Pieceful Crocus Focus
Improv Bloom by Love to Color My World