Wednesday, August 4, 2010

It's Ready!

Quick question before I start: Why does everything always take longer than I think it will?

This first part is primarily aimed at folks who are familiar with metro Dallas. Remember that building that went up along Central Expressway about 20 years ago? The one that looked like a giant letter I. When the building was nearing completion the developers put up a huge billboard along the freeway in hopes of promoting the building to renters. The billboard read," It's Ready!" with the letter I replaced with an enormous picture of the building. Ever since then, I can't pass the building without exclaiming, " It's ready!" Now, seeing as I don't really care for Dallas anyway and try to avoid visiting as much as possible, I don't have many opportunities to use this now well-worn phrase. So, I'm applying it here. It's ready! Except, the "it" I'm referring to is my updated version of the Strips and Bricks Pattern.



I've added the illustrations and updated the text and, most importantly, finished my own version 2.0.



I've also added several copies to my store, so if you're interested in the pattern, head on over there.



Or, if you'd like, leave a comment and you'll be eligible to win one of the two copies I'll be giving away, no previous familiarity with the "It's" building, Central Expressway, or Dallas, Texas necessary.

89 comments:

Christa said...

I love the quilt design. It would look nice with some hope valley fabrics I have in my stash.

Alexis said...

Whohoo! I'm excited. I have loved this quilt since the first time I saw version of it. I'm looking forward to making it for a friend's son- our friend works in finance so it will be in "Power Suit" fabrics... fun? Let's hope so!

The WoodLand School said...

Love the pattern ... not quite sure that I love Dallas :-)

Bobbi said...

I love Austin, does that count? :)

I hope I win!

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

I love this pattern... I attempted to re-create it a runner but had to guess as to the dimensions because I could not find an old copy of the Sew Hip version...so I would love to win the real-deal!

DianeY said...

Love it-so fresh & clean looking! Last time I saw Dallas-other than passing thru the airport, my parents called it a cow-town! That was 1957, so I guess it has grown!

Funky Kim said...

What a pretty 2.0!

Unknown said...

I love it! And by it I mean the quilt of course.

I'm planning on making some quilts as gifts, and I think this pattern would be perfect!

Marty Mason said...

Well,wouldn't this one be a fun pattern to win. As always, you did yourself proud!

Sarah said...

Woohoo! I've been eagerly awaiting the release of this pattern! I think I am going to be needing some new fabrics though. I don't have enough cream and beige colors in my stash.

GerryART said...

Malka, looks like a pattern that could use a lot of leftovers.

Hugs & ♥♥♥s,
Gerry

bumblesandlu said...

That pattern is so awesome in it's simplicity. I know just the stack of fabric I could use for it.

Anonymous said...

Great design and I especially love the fabric colour choice you've used. It wouldn't be something I'd automatically put together but it totally works! Gorgeous!

Kelly said...

ha! I was born in Arlington and I know just the building you're talking about! Love the pattern!

Jan said...

I'd love to win a copy of this pattern. Thanks for the opportunity. I haven't visited Dallas in many years, but always had a good time there.

Julie Alvarez said...

Great work!
I think that it is a universe law, that everything takes longer than we think...

Anonymous said...

ooh, I love this quilt (so fresh and clean!) and the pattern is fabulous!! My last name's Houston, does that count :-D ?

MissyHouston
houstonm@lanepowell.com

two hippos said...

I've never been outside the Dallas airport, but the pattern looks really fun.

Val Miller said...

Love the pattern!! It looks like it was worth the wait.

meg said...

oh I've been dreaming of making a quilt and this pattern looks just right.

Sequana said...

Actually, the first thing to be said is, "Is it ready yet?"

Yours is really beautiful.

Angela Nash said...

I would love to win a copy! Your new version looks just a wonderful as the first!

blair said...

its so gorgeous! Any chance you'd ever sell kits with your beautiful fabrics?

Kristy said...

I have a similar 'It's Ready!' location. Not far from where I live is a pub called the Sandringham hotel, which features in a Whitlams song (God Drinks at the Sando - Love this City) and I can't drive past without singing that line!

I love the pattern too!

Vivika said...

"It's" pretty, too... would love to see a picture of the building at some point!

Brittney said...

This is probably one of my favorite quilt designs ever! Thanks for the chance to win the pattern :-)

Christina said...

It's beautiful. I feel inspired! Everything takes longer than I expect too...

Cristin said...

I've never been to TX! Maybe some day :-) LOVE this quilt though!

Penny Schine Gold said...

Me too! I'd love to win a copy. Would be fun to try this out in fabrics very dissimilar from the ones you chose--even though yours are great of course.

Trudy said...

Thanx for the story. Nice quilt.

Cheryl Arkison said...

You make me want to see that building!

Sursi said...

Cute quilt! And maybe simple enough for me to do.

Monika said...

I really love your colour choices! And the pattern is striking!

Amy said...

I'm planning on making this pattern for my bed after I finish the quilt I'm working on. I'd love to win a free pattern!

verykerryberry said...

I loved it when i first saw it in Sewhip and I love it even more now!

Isa said...

This is such a wondeful quilt design!

Margaret said...

Does the pattern have tips about choosing fabrics to reproduce this colorway? There is something so subtle and interesting about your color choices that I'm fascinated by it.

I think the bits of your orange hand-dye might be the key...

Kimberly Whispell said...

Love love love the quilt. So bright and fresh, love the quilting as well!

patty a. said...

The quilt turned out so beautiful! Your fabric choices are wonderful!

Jennadesigns said...

Beautiful quilt! I'd love to have that pattern... it was one I deliberated about before choosing a pattern for a wedding quilt. Just gorgeous!

Deb said...

I love this quilt design and would be really happy to have the pattern. I've been wanting to make a quilt for my mother and I can see this one with a lot of pinks, her favorite color.

Belinda said...

Perfect stash quilt! I'm really trying to use up large chunks of the older fabrics in my stash - this would be perfect!

Melissa said...

I love that quilt - it's so quiet but has pattern to it.

dakota essence said...

Great design. I love its soothing qualities; makes me go 'ahhhh.'

M said...

I love the pattern, but I'm scared by Dallas traffic :)

Joanne S said...

After years of swearing not to piece a quilt ever again--I have been tempted by your pattern. Hope I win.

Nora said...

I would really enjoy making this beautiful quilt. I've been admiring it for quite some time.

Angela Butler said...

I love this quilt and the colors you chose! I must agree with you about Dallas : )

Joy said...

Yay! I can't wait to try this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!

Meg said...

I really, really love this quilt pattern. I hope I win a copy!! Thank you again for making it available!

NancyinSTL said...

I've been to Dallas a few times, but do not recall the I building. I love this quilt because it has pops of great color, but is still has a very soft look.

Unknown said...

Love it. Love your books. Love your fabrics. I relate to your choices and your style. Thanks for being an inspiration!

Greta Adams said...

i am very new to your blog and found it through flickr...i just wanted to comment and say that the quilt is absolutely gorgeous and the colors are devine!

Anonymous said...

Oh it's lovely, would be so happy to win a copy.
Katie
knygh[at]hotmail[dot]com

Life in the Oliver Lane! said...

The quilt is beautiful. It may have taken longer than you hoped, but I think it is worth it.

Diane said...

I want to win - I love the first version and I will love the 2.0 version too.

Maggie said...

I love the quilt and would like to make it in a toddler size for charity.

Unknown said...

What a great quilt! I've been trying to get a hold of the pattern for awhile now, and I'm super stoked that it's available now! Thanks so much!!

StitchSister said...

That is AMAZING quilting. Did it take a really long time to quilt that way and is it super stiff? Well done!

Amy in Georgia said...

I grew up in Dallas, and I actually know the building! Great pattern and lovely quilt. Thanks for sharing :)

Stine said...

What a perfect pattern made with fantastic fabric choices!

Chris said...

I good friend of mine once gave me excellent advice: "Things will usually take twice as long as you think they will, and cost three times as much as you think it will." This has proven true many times! :) Lovely quilt!

Liane said...

The quilt is fabulous - so many possibilities for fabric combinations, but I LOVE the fabric you used.

teedle. said...

love love love this!!!

Nichole said...

this is really a beautiful quilt. i'd love to have the pattern!

Lynette Russell said...

I love the simplicity of it, and the soft tones. Gorgeous!

Katie B said...

Beautiful design! I love the fabrics you chose.

Pattij said...

This looks like such a fun pattern! Love it!

Peggy said...

I love the quilt and especially the soft color pallet you used.

Danielle said...

Love the quilt! It's beautiful. And I really should know the building your talking about (lived near Dallas for 5 years), but have no idea. :)

sampling said...

It looks beautiful! It will probably take me forever.....

josie said...

I love this so much! I am sure you hear this a lot but you really have the most perfect sense of how colors work together.
Please enter me in the competition, so I can attempt something so lovely as your quilt.

Karin Husty Art said...

Wow! It is just gorgeous. I love the cleaness of the colors and simplicity of the design. I would love to try it with MY stash!

Meghan said...

Haha, I'm with you on avoiding Dallas :) Strips and Bricks v2.0 looks lovely!

florascrap said...

This is a beautiful pattern! :) Love the finished quilt...fabric choices, quilting, everything is awesome!

donna said...

You and I might be quite alike. I avoid large towns also :-) I have planned to make a few quilts for Christmas gifts. Want to know how many I have started???????? NOT A ONE........Yes, time to get busy.

jenny said...

I like the colors you've used in this new version- nice end of summer look to me!

babiesdoc said...

My stash is enormous. This pattern could. Help me whittle it down a bit.

sie tut es auch said...

I really really love the quilt design.
Well,wouldn't this one be a fun pattern to win ;o))
Hugs
Manuela

Andrea said...

I'm ready! Thanks for the opportunity. Your work is just stunning ~ I love the ways you explore color and form, Malka.

Cynthia said...

i love this malka! it's calm and yet still full of color

Kwiltsfl said...

Love Strips and Bricks 2.0! I will need the pattern one way or another. Love the fabric choices you used.
~Karen H

rosessimone said...

I love this quilt. Thanks for the chance to win it. Simone


mayzesimone@htmail.com

Jen said...

Love this pattern!

Mel G said...

Love the colors in this one. Time to pull out the polka dots!! :)

molly said...

This pattern is brilliant! I'd love to win.

Patty said...

I love the design and the colors you used! As for Texas, I love Austin.

domoshar said...

Love the crisp design and the soft palette!

currently The problem Find antique reproductions said...

I love the quilt design. It would look nice with some hope valley fabrics I have in my stash.