Hi everybody,

Thanks for stopping by my blog for my date with the Playground Showcase!!  My name is Cristi Cooper and I've owned and run a fabric shop called "Whimsy Quilts & Fabrics" for several years, but as I wind that down and close up shop, I'm ECSTATIC to be able to have more time to create!

I love everything Amy Sinibaldi touches and I had an absolute blast playing with her new collection -- Playground -- for Art Gallery Fabrics.  I've touched my fair share of fabric over the years and I've always loved the perfectly soft texture of AGF fabrics!  I was ecstatic when these beauties arrived in my mail box!

I have 3 little kids (Ellie - 10, Griffen - 7 and Gavin - 4) and these fabrics made me think about my favorite tiny humans ALOT.  My kids love to play on the playground and during the summer, we try to go to a different one almost every day.  I really felt inspired to make something that carried the whimsy and nostalgia and the feeling of the collection….  And after much thought and deliberation, I ended up inspired by this image:

To create this:

I've not appliquéd very much (maybe 2-3 times ever) and also haven't made children's clothing very much so this was a serious effort for me!  Now I want to make a patchwork skirt of my very own!  

I overthought every detail (anyone else do that?) but now that it's all done, I'm so excited to put it on my kids' playroom wall!!  I envision that this sweet girl is swinging barefoot, in her Sunday best, on a warm Fall day with a gentle breeze.  Right now, I want to BE her.  I hope I never forget what it's like to hear my kids' giggles as they play, when they are all grown up.

Major props to the people who appliqué on a regular basis!!  Particularly if you needle-turn appliqué.  I thought about doing that and then realized that I think that form of appliqué will have to come after my kiddos have left for college.  All of my patience is used on them. ;)

Thank you Amy for letting me play with your gorgeous collection!  I absolutely love the design, the nostalgia, the colors and honestly, the memories that I already know your fabrics will bring back for me.  That's really an incredible thing to say about fabric. <3 p="">

We're nearing the end of the Playground Showcase, but here's the list of all the lovely folks participating!!  Giuseppe Ribaudo is on tap for tomorrow and I know he'll make something incredible!!  

xo

Cristi

Modern Makers Club!

Membership for this club is currently closed but sign-ups will reopen October 12-14.  New club members will receive all previous patterns and be able join us!!  If you'd like to be reminded that sign-ups reopen, email us at: modernmakersclub@gmail.com !!  

I'm so excited to announce a new pattern club that Lindsey @penandpaperpatterns and I have been working on for you ~ the "Modern Makers Quilt Club".  The designs you see here are 8 of 36 that will comprise a year-long pattern club.  We hope you love them and that you'll be part of it!!  

The total cost of the club for 36 patterns is $50. Once you've signed up and paid, your membership is non-refundable.  Starting August 15 & every month after that for a year, members will get 3 PDF block patterns for 3 unique 9" blocks. At the end of the year, you'll have 36 individual patterns that can be combined to make a totally rad lap size quilt, or if you'd like a larger quilt, you can double the blocks, add sashing, etc. As part of the club, we will provide you with potential layout ideas, sashing amounts needed, etc.  

We are also having giveaways, special discounts, shirts designed by Patchwork Threads and more!  We can't wait to quilt with you!

Cristi & Lindsey