Wow, there was so much interest yesterday in the information on how to expand the size of the Schnibbles Madeline block! If you would like instruction from the quilt designer herself, the fabulous Miss Carrie of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co., go to her website, where she has provided the information on expanding a block by adding setting triangles. Go check it out, LaVieEnRose, "Random Stuff", on her left side bar. A simple click and you can print out all the information. And, just so you know, you can use this technique to expand ANY block....any size....
This is Martinique by 3 Sisters for Moda. Howdee do. Isn't this muted color palette soothing? I do not have all the pieces from this fabric group, but have just ordered more reds and browns. There is a pink in the collection, but I am not letting it play with the others at this time.
I don't know exactly how I will use this fabric. Another basket quilt? lol No, not right now. I have a pattern that I was considering, which I showed you previously, before I got any of the fabric. I would leave out the pink and use the large brown floral for the border. Or maybe the pink should get to be part of things? What do you advise? Pink or no pink?
By the way, today is my last day of work!!! At 5:30, wherever you are drink a toast (imaginary or not) to Nicole reinventing herself.
Congratulations on your last day! and your first day of all things new!
Posted by: LaurieC | April 22, 2010 at 04:37 AM
Woo Hoo...first and last day's at work are always the best!
Posted by: Mary Flynn | April 22, 2010 at 04:46 AM
YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so very, very happy for you! I will surely raise a toast to you and the beginning of your new life! Love your pattern...let the pink play.
Posted by: Carol | April 22, 2010 at 04:52 AM
well with the time differences I am not sure I will raise a glass at the right time so I will do it at MY 5.30 - have a nice last day ;o)
Oh and pink for me, always pink for me though!
Posted by: Lisa Hart | April 22, 2010 at 05:05 AM
Congrats on your last day of work.
Posted by: Laurie in Iowa | April 22, 2010 at 05:34 AM
It's not quite 5:30 yet, but here's my toast anyway: Happy last day at work; may you enjoy every day following!
Posted by: Mrs Moen | April 22, 2010 at 05:38 AM
Congrats to you!
Posted by: badlands quilts | April 22, 2010 at 05:39 AM
Hi Nicole!
Congrats on your last day! I'll surely think of you & toast@ 5.30!
As to the pinks...hmmm...I really LOVE pinks - but I think it would be a nice effect if you used the 'bolder' (don't know if this is the right expression, sorry) fabrics to have higher contrasts...and maybe the darker border just need the pinks to be left out...!?
Anyways, it'll be a beautiful quilt for sure - have fun playing with Martinique (oh, I can't wait for my helping of that fabric collection!)
Julia
Posted by: Julia | April 22, 2010 at 05:42 AM
Oh my goodness...yay for your last day! I love Martinique and I'd love to have a whole room of that blue and those reds. Love them!
Posted by: Dianne | April 22, 2010 at 05:45 AM
Wow, now your life can really be taken over by quilting like the rest of us! LOL! Just kidding, raising my cup of Joe to celebrate with you! Add the pink...you always need the color you think you DON"T need.
Posted by: Shelley dionne | April 22, 2010 at 06:18 AM
Congrats on your new adventure - it sounds like a lot of fun!
Posted by: Anita | April 22, 2010 at 06:42 AM
Congratulations on your last day! Lovely fabrics!~ I'd leave a little pink in. ;-) Happy stitchin!
Posted by: call me crazy | April 22, 2010 at 06:55 AM
Congratulations on your last day!!! I think a drink at your 5:30 will require me to have it for breakfast so I'll let you do the toasting! There's a lot of pink there as it is so it wouldn't hurt! Happy reinventing!!!
Posted by: Sasha | April 22, 2010 at 07:09 AM
CONGRATS!!! on your last day, how wonderful! I love your fabrics and i'm all about pink, so i say keeps some pink!
Posted by: Lisa | April 22, 2010 at 07:18 AM
Congratulations! Oh, the possibilities that lie before you! And I am excited for us, too, because you will have even more wonderful projects to share and inspire us. Wishing you much joy as this new chapter starts.
Posted by: Kathleen | April 22, 2010 at 07:35 AM
I forgot to mention....I think some pink would be nice.
Posted by: Kathleen | April 22, 2010 at 07:35 AM
CHEERS! Congrats on new beginnings! The end of one thing - the beginnings of so many new roads to follow. Love the Crazy Old Ladies pattern and think it would be beautiful with the Martinique, even a touch of pink in there. Yet another pattern I want to make! I think I have to stop reading your blog because I have too many virtual UFOs I want to make. ;) Enjoy your day.
Posted by: Christi | April 22, 2010 at 07:44 AM
I vote no pink. I think it makes the quilt sort of fade away. And congrats on the last day of work! I am dreaming about that constantly as I find less and less time for me.
Posted by: Chris | April 22, 2010 at 07:47 AM
Yahoo! Happy last day of work (lifting my virtual beverage to you)!
Posted by: Lisa D. | April 22, 2010 at 08:28 AM
I love that Maison Bleu pattern. It's so different.
And yahoo! for your last day of work! Bottoms up!
Posted by: Allyson | April 22, 2010 at 08:44 AM
Hi Nicole, just a word of warning - I just finished a quilt top using Martinique. the coloring was tricky, it was....now how can I say this politely....a little bland. The red spices it up, but is also very dominant, so I had to be super careful how I placed it. I had the jelly roll, so i was constrained by that and made on of the quilts in one of Pam and Nicky Lintott's books. Did I love it at the end....mmm not sure. maybe it will grow on me when it's quilted!
Congratulations on your last day of work - 5.30 your time is the middle of the night here - so I shall drink a glass of champagne to you in my sleep!!!
Best wishes - and did i tll you that i love your blog and read it every day!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | April 22, 2010 at 08:46 AM
Yea! More time to quilt and I love pink. I also have the Martinique. I'm making the quilt in the flyer that came with the fabric. The one with an applique flower in the middle. That way I didn't have to spend any time trying to come up with a pattern.
Posted by: Sally Williams | April 22, 2010 at 08:46 AM
I'll toast you with my cup of tea at 5:30 today, pst! I'm looking forward to even more quilt pictures from you.
Congrtulations! Retirement IS what it's all cracked up to be!!
Posted by: Miss Jean | April 22, 2010 at 08:47 AM
I've not commented before, but I have lurked on your blog for a while and I must say you are one of the most prolific and talented people I "know." I love this pattern and as I looked at it I tried to imagine it without the pink. I think the quilt would "miss" it if it were gone. Just a bit of pink might be your "sparkle." I think the border you picked will be perfect. Have a lovely last day of work and enjoy all the quilting days ahead! Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Cathy Burk | April 22, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Hi Nicole, first off congratulations on your last day of work!!! I've been retired for almost two years now and have never looked back. You'll be amazed at how quickly time goes by and ask yourself how you managed when you were working. Love the fabric and I do think that a bit of pink would not be amiss. A glass will definitely be raised to your future - enjoy.
Posted by: CarlaH | April 22, 2010 at 11:23 AM