succulent path {succulents blog hop and GIVEAWAY!}

***Edited to add:  If you're having difficulty accessing the free pattern for this quilt, try saving the file to your computer.  For some reason on certain browsers it looks as though the pattern is missing several pages, but this doesn't seem to be an issue once you download the PDF.***

Ohhh Succulent Path.  Sweet.  Succulent.  Path.

photo credit:  Eric Lubrick

I designed this quilt—free pattern here!—last fall for my dear friend Heather Givans of Crimson Tate.  Who designed her splendidly cheerful collection, Succulents, for Windham Fabrics.

For those of you who don't know Heather—wait, what?! Someone doesn't know Heather?!—she's an absolute joy to be around.  Her jovial personality—much like her infamous eyes-wide-mouth-open-and-let's-not-forget-the-glasses instagram selfies—is infectious.  We were first introduced by Amanda of Material Girl Quilts the year before last.  From the get-go, she was warm, welcoming, and fully committed to fostering creativity in our local community.
 

photo credit:  Eric Lubrick

And on top of that, she's a true artist.  So when she asked if we had any interest in designing projects featuring Succulents last fall, I immediately got to work.  I knew I wanted to capture the lightheartedness and whimsy that is Crimson Tate.  Now if you've been around here before you've likely realized that I'm all about paper piecing (paper piece all the things!).  But I also have a soft spot for historic design, and ultimately kept coming back to a traditional block that—though unassuming at first glance—turns into something spectacular with a simple repeat.  And in that spirit, Succulent Path came to be ;o)

This is Heather's first collection.  (The first of many, I hope.)  And this quilt—it boasts some firsts for me, too.  The first time I'd sewn exclusively with one fabric line.  (One that I had the privilege of seeing "behind the scenes," so to speak, as Heather's concept went from paper to strike offs to bolts.)

It's also the first time I asked for help to meet a deadline.  (And got it.  Major shout out to Meghan for your help with piecing the blocks—you are incredible.)  

The block is inspired by a vintage one, "Grandma's Fan."
This shot of the top really captures how the block's on-point repeat comes together to form the "path."

And the first time any of my work has been quilted by someone else (...Angela Walters, of all people!)

To me, all this creativity and collaboration really captures a thriving sense of community.  Succulent Path doesn't feel like "my quilt."  It feels like "our quilt."  As they say, it takes a village.  I'm happy and honored to be a member of said bustling village.

Plus it's the first quilt that's made it to Market.  (A pretty stellar cherry on top.)

photo credit:  Eric Lubrick

Now, if you're wanting to get your hands on some Succulents, now is your chance!  The folks at Windham will be giving away FQ bundles at every stop of the Succulents Blog Hop.  All of them!  Here's the line up...

March 15: Heather Givans of Crimson Tate

March 16: Eric Lubrick of Eric Lubrick Photography

March 17: Sarah Sharp of {no} hats quilts } you are here ;o)

March 18: Lindsay Lefevere of ellesquare

March 19: Karen McTavish of McTavish Quilting Studio

March 20: David Barnhouse of Crimson Tate

March 21: Meghan Eschbaugh of Calvin and Carolyn

March 22: Brooke Starnes

March 23: Matthew Wheeler of Kapa Quilts

March 24: Samantha Howard of Bobaloo Kids 

March 25: Amy Garro of 13 spools

March 26: Amanda Castor of Material Girl Quilts 

March 27: Heather Jones of Heather Jones Studio  

March 28: Heather Givans of Crimson Tate 

How do you win, you ask?  Just follow along over the next two weeks, peruse the projects and comment on the posts.  That's it!  Win win.  Speaking of, winners will be drawn at random at the end of the hop.

So to get started, leave a comment on this post.  Want to double your odds from the get go?  Head on over to Windham's blog and leave a comment there too.  Cat got your tongue?  I want to know what you'd make with this line!

photo credit:  Eric Lubrick

If you're local, I'll be teaching this design later this spring at Crimson Tate, so keep an eye on the class calendar.  And for everyone else, you can find this design (and many more!) in the free projects section of Windham's site.  I opted for scrappy blues and greens against a neutral backdrop, but you can easily mix up the color placement to create a path all your own ;o)

Happy hopping!