Well, it's about that time folks.

My new book, VINTAGE VIBE is shipping to stores any day now!  

So, let's have some fun, shall we? 

It's time for a VINTAGE VIBE Blog Tour!!!

I've got some really amazing quilty friends sharing different projects from the book every Tuesday and Thursday in November and December (except holidays).  I hope you'll join in the fun!

I'm going to kick things off with the very first project, Skipper.

[Image credit: Martingale, Brent Kane]

Skipper puts a little twist on the very traditional Flying Geese block.  This quilt comes together quickly and it's perfect for beginners!

The fabric line I used in the book is called Out To Sea by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller Fabrics.  The whole thing just kind of screams "boy" to me.

But what if we changed things up a bit?

I've been dying to see what this pattern would look like made up in some girly fabrics from my stash.  And well, I think it works.  Don't you?

I started making these the other day and I didn't want to stop!  My little pile of Skipper Blocks kept growing and growing!  Now, I'm just trying to decide if I need to make a whole other quilt...or just a table runner?  Hmmm.  Decisions, decisions...

So, as you can see, there's lots of fun to be had with VINTAGE VIBE.  

This is just the beginning!

I do hope you'll tour around with me and the rest of my quilty friends 

on the VINTAGE VIBE Blog Tour.  And hey, who knows?  There might even be a few fun surprises along the way :)

Here's the schedule:

11/6/14 - Amber @ http://www.alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com/

11/11/14 - April @ http://www.aprilrosenthal.com/

11/13/14 - Jessie @ http://messyjessecrafts.blogspot.com/

11/18/14 - The Fat Quarter Shop @ http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com/

11/20/14 - Corey @ http://www.littlemissshabby.com/

DATE CHANGE! 11/24/14 - Sherri @ http://www.aquiltinglife.com/

12/2/14 - Jodi @ http://www.pleasant-home.com/

12/4/14 - Melissa @ http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/

12/9/14 - Pam @ http://pamkittymorning.blogspot.com/

12/11/14 - Heather @ http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/

12/16/14 - Andy @ http://www.abrightcorner.com/

12/18/14 - Amy @ http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/

12/23/14 - Melissa @ http://www.polkadotchair.com/

12/30/14 - Lori @ http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/

P.S.  For those interested, 

you can get your autographed copy of VINTAGE VIBE HERE :)

Happy quilting!

Amber

Quilty Fun Turns One!

And to celebrate,

Lori Holt created the most darling birthday block!

When I saw it, I knew I just HAD to make one too!

It was so much fun to make and came together so quickly.

I seriously spent more time picking out fabrics 

than I did on the cutting and piecing.

I'm still debating how I want to finish this little cutie 

but for now I just want to say... 

Happy Birthday Quilty Fun!  It's been a fabulous year!

I ♥ my Apple-licious quilt and my Quilty Fun Sampler! 

(which is almost bound - pictures coming soon :)

If you haven't had the chance to get your own copy of Quilty Fun, 
it's not too late!  It's available HERE from the Fat Quarter Shop. 

Happy quilting everyone!
~ Amber

Click HERE for the instructions 
to Lori Holt's birthday block.

My Book, Vintage Vibe: Traditional Quilts, Fresh Fabrics

 You guys, things have been very exciting around here lately.

When one copy of my new book, 

Vintage Vibe: Traditional Quilts, Fresh Fabrics 

landed on my doorstep last Friday evening, there was a nervous, excited feeling that I hadn't known before.  I opened the package and eyed it - from a distance - for about an hour.  Every few minutes I would stop back by the book and squeal, pet it, flip it over (there may have even been a little bit of jumping up and down and clapping).  But I couldn't open it.  I was frozen with anticipation.  My husband was on his way home from a business trip.  My children were at friends' houses.  I had to share the excitement with someone so I called my mom.  She finally convinced me to open it and then listened as I described every detail to her. 

This book has been a two year project (me: working on the quilts and instructions for one year and my publisher: editing, editing, photographing and more editing for the second year).  I'm thrilled with how it turned out and am so thankful to the amazing crew at Martingale Publishing.  They have been so fabulous to work with!!!

This book is full of 14 bold projects, tid-bits about the inspiration behind the projects, beautiful photography, quilt making basics, tips on fabric selection and lots, lots more.

One of my favorite quilts in the book (okay, let's be honest, I LOVE them all!)  But one of the most unique quilts in the book AND the namesake behind the book itself, is this 2-color quilt called Vintage Vibe.  

It was inspired by this cover of a home decor catalog I received in the mail.  It's one example of what you'll find in this book ~ the quilts, the stories behind them and hopefully a new appreciation for the little things in your lives that can inspire your own projects!  

The quilting on Vintage Vibe is amazing!  Kaylene Parry in Lehi, Utah quilted it for me (in fact she quilted several of the projects in the book.  I use her a lot and she always does a fantastic job!)

I was also blessed to have Natalia Bonner from Piece 'N Quilt quilt four of the projects in the book, including the cover quilt and pillow, this black and white quilt (above) and the Rainy Day Table Runner (below).  She is amazing and it was so fun to meet and collaborate with her!

You guys, all of the quilting in this book is amazing!!!  You're sure to be inspired!  And the great thing is, I share lots of specific tips in the book about long-arm quilting ideas and how to get great results from your quilter!

The projects in Vintage Vibe range in skill level.  There's a little something in there for everyone.  Including 3 different types of applique, different methods for making Half Square Triangles and how to make both classic and new blocks alike!

I wish I could share with you all the projects, and the inspiration and stories behind the projects but you'll just have to get one to see.  I (think?!?) it will definitely be a fun and inspiring read, along with lots of eye candy and fun projects to make.

If you want to pre-order an autographed copy today, click HERE.

Vintage Vibe: Traditional Quilts, Fresh Fabrics

Coming November 4th.

Playful Petals Blog Tour

Welcome!  

Today I'm thrilled to be another stop on 

Corey Yoder's Playful Petals Blog Tour!

I was super excited when Corey asked me to participate.  I've been swooning over her beautiful creations on Instagram for some time now and her new book, Playful Petals, really caught my attention as I am OBSESSED with the petal shape right now!  After checking out my e-copy (courtesy of C&T Publishing) I was highly impressed!  The book is beautiful inside and out.  Just filled to the brim with lots of eye candy and Corey's use of color is really inspiring! 

Her book includes tons of fabulous tips on fusible applique.  She walks you through every step of the way and includes lots of great photos and options to help you become a confident appliquer.  She also includes a great section on quilt making basics, fabric selection and using pre-cuts.  I also love the fact that each of the 9 beautiful quilt projects featured in Playful Petals has a coordinating mini project!  

There were several projects in the book that I wanted to make but in the end, I couldn't resist the Rainbow Petals Pillow.  You can see Corey's version (above) which she made up in some super cute vintagy florals.  I was really taken to the sweet prints and colors she used but I decided to use up some left over Joel Dewberry charm squares I had laying around (plus a few more scraps from my stash) to make this version:

It adds a fun pop of color to my family room and I guess it's fun to see it in a more modern, darker color way.

It was really fun to make and I hope to find time to try some of the other projects in Playful Petals.

Thanks to all of you for stopping by today.  I do hope you'll check out the other stops on this blog tour to see more beautiful projects from Playful Petals.

September 15: Amy @   http://www.stitcherydickorydock.com/

September 16: Melissa @ http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/

September 17: Jessica @ http://quiltyhabit.blogspot.com/

September 18: Faith @ http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/

September 19: Amy @ http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/

~Break for Weekend~

September 22: Sherri @ http://www.aquiltinglife.com/

September 23: Amber @ http://alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com/

September 24: Lori @ http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/

September 25: Amanda @ http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/

September 26: Lee @ http://www.freshlypieced.com/

September 27: Corey @ http://www.littlemissshabby.com Final Round-up & Giveaway

Happy quilting!

~ Amber

Scrappy Trip Around The World [Finish]

If you would have asked me mid-process about this quilt, 

I would have told you it was my "ugly quilt".

Somehow, when I first started this Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt (just over a year ago), I got the "brilliant" idea that I was going to use reds, golds, teals, blacks, whites and gray.  And then after I got going I wondered how I ever got on that kick?!?  Kind of a weird color combo, right?  Regret was starting to seep in but I kept plugging away at my 36 blocks.  And in the end, I like it.  It's kind of funky. And happy.

I quilted it myself using this tutorial from the blog Oh, Fransson!  

There was no marking involved so it's not perfect.  But overall I think it works. 

This quilt was definitely a lesson on letting go.  The method used for piecing the blocks may not be the best for ensuring complete accuracy but it's fun and worth trying out.  The tutorial can be found HERE on the blog, Quiltville.

I decided to keep the funk going and added a black and white 1/2" wide striped binding and I love it!

So lesson learned.  If your gut tells you to do something - go with it.  

You may be pleasantly surprised in the end.

~ Happy quilting

Amber

The Fat Quarter Shop's Coffee Koozie Tutorial

I'm not a coffee or tea drinker but I do love me some yummy hot chocolate with a big dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon!  Another hot beverage I can't resist ~ Vanilla Steamers from Starbucks with an extra shot of vanilla! With the autumn months fast approaching, I know I'll be treating myself to these kinds of drinks more often so I was excited to try out The Fat Quarter Shop's new Coffee Koozie tutorial!

I whipped up one Koozie in about 30 minutes and couldn't help but think what a cute (and thoughtful) gift this could be for a neighbor or teacher!  Wouldn't it be great to just show up on a friend's door step (or at the bus stop!) with a warm cup of cocoa and a handmade Koozie!?!

It's inexpensive, handmade and fabulous for using up scraps!  I used leftovers from my new Marbles quilt pattern (fabric line = Rustique by Emily Herrick for Michael Miller).

Be sure to stop by The Fat Quarter Shop to get the free pattern and check out their YouTube video to see just how quickly this little Koozie comes together!