It’s been over a month since I stopped in to say hello. I hope you’re having a great summer.
It’s been a lazy summer with very little writing and just a smattering of quilting. My primary accomplishment this summer has been to reach the ripe old age of eighty. I celebrated with family from Virginia, Maryland, California, and New York which made it well worth hitting this new decade.
I thought I’d share with you the project I’ve been working on. I’ve misplaced the name of the block, but I got it from a Missouri Star tutorial. I needed a blue throw for my living room, so I purchased two layer cake packets from http://www.missouriquiltco.com: Yuki by Debbie Maddy for Moda.
I then chose two contrasting 10″ squares and cut a 2.5″ strip from the top, bottom and sides of each. I then switched the centers to form two blocks which I stitched and trimmed to 8.5″. I repeated this process using most of the 10″ blocks until I had enough to make a throw.
I haven’t sewn them together yet, but you get the idea:
Earlier this year I used this pattern to make a somewhat scrappy quilt in blues and yellows as a gift for a friend in Italy. This is a great pattern when you need a quilt in a hurry. 
So that’s been my summer so far. Family visiting, a bit of quilting, and eagerly awaiting C&T Publishing’s release of the second edition of my quilting cozy series. The first book, Tie Died, will be available on September 4th and the others will follow at the rate of two per month until all ten have been released. The new edition will include the pattern for the cover quilt which is also created by the characters as part of the storyline.
Meanwhile, Book #11, most likely entitled Beneath Missouri Skies, is awaiting its final chapter and lots of editing.
Thanks for following my blog and for your patience during this quiet period. Don’t forget I love hearing from you. Please comment below or drop me a line at quiltingcozy@gmail.com. How are you spending your summer?
My very best wishes.
A Quilting Cozy Series - Carol Dean Jones 
Woodsfest sounds interesting (computer changed the spelling in my above comment)
Autocorrect can be really annoying!
Carol, it is good to take it easy for a bit. Love your “blue quilt’ for the back of the couch and your Italy friend will love the yellow and blue version you have made for her. You are so talented. I am waiting for Book #11. My sister wants to know when your new book will be out. Happy Birthday again! What a milestone! Hope to get together with you soon. Can’t wait to see the release of the second editions of your books by C&T Publishing. Woodsiest sounds so interesting. Hope I can attend!
Book #11 (probably entitled Beneath Missouri Skies) won’t be out for a while. Once I finish, I’ll be sending it to the publisher and publication date will be out of my hands, but it will definitely be sometime after January 2019 (that’s when #10 is released). Hope to see you at WoodsFest. (I’m doing a book signing).
Congrats on your big birthday. I have the big 70 this October. Love 💕 the pattern, thank you. Looking forward to book 11 – big fan of all your others. Glad to be able to get printed books for my mother-in-law, who is a marvelous quilter and who loves to read.
Hi Dianne, Thank you for your comments. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the books. C&T Publishing will begin releasing the second edition in September and will continue every couple of weeks until they’re all released. You will be able to find print copies in bookstores, on Amazon, and directly from C&T after that time. They have included the pattern for the quilt that is on the cover (and made by characters in the book). Have a fantastic 70th birthday! And please stay in touch. Best wishes, Carol
It’s always good hearing what you are up to Carol! As for me this summer, I’ve been working on putting together plans for WoodsFest, an artisan fair at The Woods in beautiful West Virginia. We are so glad you will be there to sign your books and talk to quilting and cozy fans in person on Saturday, October 13 from 10 am to 4 pm! http://www.facebook.com/Woodsfestwv Judy
Thank you, Judy. I, too, am excited about WoodsFest. I love the idea of participating along with all the extremely talented artisans who have been invited. October is a beautiful time of the year in West Virginia. This promises to be an exciting and fun-filled day. See you on October 13th.
Happy Birthday! A bit late, but I like to extend a birthday celebration for as long as possible. 😊
I like that pattern using a layer cake. Sometimes the cakes are fun to buy, but then what pattern to use? This one gives a great solution that leads to a beautiful finish. I know I have some cakes that would look terrific using this method. Thanks as always for your inspiration! And be sure and milk that birthday for as long as you can. Lol
Great hearing from you, Robin, and thank you for the birthday wishes. This pattern is a real treat. Each block takes about 10 minutes to complete and, with trimming them back to 8.5″, the rows go together in no time at all. As I said, great pattern for that quick quilt and a terrific use for layer cakes. I’d love to see what you’re creating these days. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Hi Carol,I know this pattern as ‘square-in-a-square’ but I am sure it will have other names as well! I love your yellow and blue version, it makes me think of Provence in France. Looking forward to seeing the completed blue version. Congratulations on turning 80, I’m glad you got to celebrate with family.
Thank you, Fiona, for your birthday wishes. I so enjoy my visits to Fiona at Ice Bear Quilts! Have a great summer.
Beautiful new throw coming along nicely! I’m sure your friend in Italy liked that gorgeous blue/yellow quilt – are you sure you don’t want to keep it? Would go nicely with your over the fireplace painting! 🙂 I’ll visit you on your mountain soon. Meanwhile, hugs to you and the pups.
Love, Pam
Yes, the yellow and blue went beautifully with the painting, but the quilt told me it belonged in Italy with a very special person. Hope to see you soon. Love from your sister and your furry four-legged
nephews.