July 4th Independence Day and GenQ Blog Tour!

July 4th Independence Day and GenQ Blog Tour!

Happy Independence Day to the USA today!  And Happy Blog Tour Day to Everyone as well.  If you are a regular reader here at the Blue Nickel, and didn’t realize it, today is my day on the Generation Q Magazine Debut Issue Blog Tour!  You can find the whole list of stops here.   Go ahead and check out everyone’s thoughts on GenQ along the way and comment where you can to enter for your chance to win your very own copy. If you can’t wait to win one, you can buy one from any of these shops.  Or you can get one directly from Generation Q here.

Most peeps on the tour have been talking about all sorts of reasons they like Generation Q which makes me of course very happy because I am part of the team that worked on it.  It is NOT easy putting a magazine together, especially from the ground up.  Especially without some big corporation with funds and expertise.  But not having a big company behind us also allows us to be unique. And I think that we are doing a good job at that.  Our whole goal has been to be different.  Some people want magazines to be all the same, but some people are looking for a quilt magazine that is just a bit different, and we are here for those people!!

A large part of what I do for the magazine has been working on gathering designers to create projects for each issue.  And so for my stop on the Tour, I thought I would share with you a couple “re-coloring” of two of the projects in the  magazine because I really like to encourage people to interpret projects in their OWN versions of the original.  Make for some great variety I think.  So scattered through this post you see some pictures of my version of Heather’s You and I quilt and Julie’s table runner.  In fact TWO versions of Julie’s table runner because it is just so fun and easy!

With Heather’s, I finally found a use for a mauve-ish Quilter’s Linen from Robert Kaufman that came in a batch of fabric from them. I had set it aside to force myself to work with a fabric that I wasn’t all that fond of.  Then one day I noticed that it really went well with a large vintage stripe piece that I had.  I added a grey print from Betz White’s Stitch and voila! my first ever “simple” quilt.  Simple meaning only three fabrics…total…a HUGE step away from my normal M.O.!!

I took it to the beach on Whidbey Island because I knew the rocks would be the perfect backdrop for it.

Then there are also these two takes on Julie’s tablerunner.  Probably a bit too “mushy” for a lot of people, but I like them…I made the first for today: a red, white, and blue version that isn’t typical  “Americana”  (not that I don’t love that Americana feel…I have a ton of flags that I love to hang out in the summer).

The second one is done up with a bunch of Michael Miller Picnic themed prints……I do think that I might make some placemats out of in the same manner with a quieter border.

So for the Blog Tour part…leave a comment here and let me know what you want to see more of in magazines or what you are up to this summer.  Nothing heavy…just leave a comment.  I will draw a name sometime next week if I can while I am at Sisters, otherwise it will have to wait until I get back!  Oh and you can get another chance to win a copy if you are among the “new” likes on GenQ’s Facebook Page as well.

Remember that all comments need to wait for approval, and I work outside the studio as well, so it may take awhile to be approved….

53 Comments

  • Polly Jo

    Reply

    I am working on four BOMs and a One Block Wonder! Thanks!

    July 4, 2012 at 8:24 am
  • Barbara

    Reply

    I like quilt magazines that have interesting articles along with patterns. I am looking forward to reading GenQ.

    July 4, 2012 at 10:24 am
  • Lisa E

    Reply

    I’d like to see more about the use of color and the design process. Sources of inspiration for quilts. Thanks!

    July 4, 2012 at 11:26 am
  • Gwen

    Reply

    I like to see anything that helps create inspiration – whether its patterns, pictures of new fabrics to be released, color combination possiblities ,etc. All of it helps to get the creative juices flowing.

    July 4, 2012 at 12:36 pm
  • Love the look of the magazine and can’t wait to see the content – it does sound a little more unique than the main stream mags which will be very nice indeed!! This summer I’m catching up on WiP’s so I can make Christmas things without guilt! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!

    July 4, 2012 at 12:59 pm
  • I ‘liked’ Gen Q over on Facebook – I was number 2118 🙂 Yay for your giveaway!!

    July 4, 2012 at 1:00 pm
  • Jennie P.

    Reply

    What am I up to this Summer? Trying not to burn up in this heat! Sure wish I had air conditioning!

    July 4, 2012 at 1:18 pm
  • MarciaW

    Reply

    Thank you for the giveaway. I like to see articles about people who quilt and design fabrics; some quilty patterns, and techniques articles on how to quilt the tops. Process articles are great too.

    July 4, 2012 at 1:46 pm
  • Becky Greene

    Reply

    I would like to see the same block (different colorway is OK) quilted in different ways. I tend to get stuck in a rut, so I love to see lots of options on attacking the same issue.

    July 4, 2012 at 3:11 pm
  • usairdoll

    Reply

    Congratz for getting Gen Q up and a reality. I’m really looking forward to getting my own copy. Today I’m doing some hand piecing of blocks. They are only 3″ blocks so nice and small. It is just nice a relaxing so I’m in heaven. Have a safe and happy 4th. Have a great time at Sisters. That is on my bucket list to go and take some classes. One year I’ll get there. Safe travels.

    Thank you and Gen Q for a great giveaway and a chance to win.

    July 4, 2012 at 3:50 pm
  • Deb F

    Reply

    I like to see unique fabric combinations and interesting articles about the artists. I’m so excited about a new unique magazine. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Happy Fourth!

    July 4, 2012 at 4:01 pm
  • this summer i’m having company every few weeks … it’s been a very poor summer so far; it could be warmer and sunnier! my company, though is used to the u0ps and downs of and alaskan summer, and we’ll still enjoy the company.

    July 4, 2012 at 5:36 pm
  • Judy Blinkenberg

    Reply

    I too am looking forward to this magazine. I’m not sure if it will be like others. I’d like to read about the designers and their fabrics and their patterns. Thank you for all your hard work in this magazine. It’s going to be great!

    July 4, 2012 at 6:47 pm
  • Patty

    Reply

    I’m looking forward to finding a copy of the magazine. Hope Megan is still writing, love her style.

    July 4, 2012 at 9:18 pm
  • robin

    Reply

    Can’t wait to see the magazine. 🙂 This summer is pretty low-key for us. Just spending time together as a family, mostly!

    July 4, 2012 at 9:35 pm
  • I would enjoy all the different opinions on what is the “Modern Quilt Movement”. I like everything I have Read about Gen Q. It encompasses many designers from the far left to the far right. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy. I am sewing this summer.

    July 4, 2012 at 10:13 pm
  • I liked Gen Q on Facebook and read your reviews on three new books. I liked the fact that they where very different books. Good job Scott!

    July 4, 2012 at 10:15 pm
  • Wow love your versions! Especially the tablerunners. So lovely! I love to read background stuff about designers, tips for quilting and to see patterns and fabrics.

    July 4, 2012 at 10:37 pm
  • Beth T.

    Reply

    This summer we are the vacation destination for several family members. I’m really looking forward to welcoming people to our home in the country.

    July 5, 2012 at 12:41 am
  • Kathie L

    Reply

    I like to read about the person who designed the quilt. Also, I love alternate colorways shown.

    July 5, 2012 at 4:08 am
  • mrsmoore

    Reply

    I like to see innovative twists on tradition. The projects you’ve shown here are tantalizing–great combination of fabric and design.

    July 5, 2012 at 4:49 am
  • Cecilia

    Reply

    I like seeing different color versions as well as ideas for quilting designs. I like that you showed a pattern using different fabrics that were not from the same collection. It gives me ideas on how to use my stash. Thanks!

    July 5, 2012 at 6:09 am
  • pam w

    Reply

    awsome magazine love to be able to visit all these awesome blogs in this giveaway

    July 5, 2012 at 6:14 am
  • I don’t think i’ve met a quilting mag I don’t like! Just to turn the pages and gaze at new (to me) quilts is a treat! Thanks for the chance!

    July 5, 2012 at 6:20 am
  • Judy

    Reply

    I like your quilts. This summer I am working on two quilt alongs and a quilt made from charm packs from a pattern book that I won in a previous quilt along.

    July 5, 2012 at 6:46 am
  • I’d love to win. Seeing the same quilt design made up in a number of fabrics/colorway versions is so helpful and inspiring.

    July 5, 2012 at 6:59 am
  • Beulah

    Reply

    Tutorials and trouble shooting are always great and handy resources.
    Bindings can be a beast at times…

    July 5, 2012 at 8:04 am
  • Jayna

    Reply

    Multiple versions of a project so people can see it in a different colorway or setting is great.

    July 5, 2012 at 8:46 am
  • Anne

    Reply

    Wish we had a beach here in Colorado to escape to. I’m beating the heat by designing lots of new quilts. I suppose i should make the time to sew them too. Can’t wait to see GenQ. Hoping to get one tomorrow at Fancy Tiger.

    July 5, 2012 at 9:02 am
  • patty

    Reply

    I really like your You and I quilt top. My biggest hurdle is trying to understand how people put together the most unlikely prints together and it works like the table runners. In the yellow table runner, I would have never thougt about using some of those prints together, but it works and the runner is wonderful!

    July 5, 2012 at 10:02 am
  • Sandy H.

    Reply

    I love to see traditional patterns re-interpreted in a modern way. Thanks for the giveaway!

    July 5, 2012 at 10:49 am
  • This summer I have been doing mindless sewing.thanks for the chance to win

    July 5, 2012 at 11:53 am
  • Gwen Windham

    Reply

    I love it when magazines have free Block of the Month designs! They are so much fun! I enjoy deciding what colors and fabrics to use– then you have a whole month to get your block made– and anticipate which block will be chosen for next month! 🙂

    July 5, 2012 at 12:00 pm
  • Tamie

    Reply

    I love seeing the variations. Then you don’t have one image stuck in your head. I like seeing quilter’s studios and not just well known quilters but every day ones too. I like product reviews. I was looking at an older copy of Quilters Home and I wasn’t crazy about the projects but it wasn’t a five minute flip either.

    July 5, 2012 at 5:21 pm
  • I like seeing articles about the quilters too.
    Love scrappy designs.

    This summer I am watching my MIL while my SIL goes on vacation.
    then I get to do some travel with DH :0)

    thanks for the change to win Generation Q and I wish
    you success with the magazine.

    Happy sewing

    July 5, 2012 at 5:25 pm
  • Auntie Pami

    Reply

    I love the size. Fits in my purse (or at least it looks like it will) (ps that’s a hint). I’d like to see how to mix and mis-match/match fabrics and solids. New tools of course.

    July 5, 2012 at 7:21 pm
  • Fran

    Reply

    I like lots of quilting photos, articles about quilting, interviews with designers & several projects per issue. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this fantastic magazine.

    July 5, 2012 at 7:50 pm
  • Paula

    Reply

    I am having a very quilty summer: 2 UFO days, a block workshop, a quiltworkshop, a modern guild meet-up, two modern guild meetings and three days at the APWQ show! Yay!!

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    July 5, 2012 at 8:14 pm
  • MoeWest

    Reply

    I have lots to keep me busy this summer. I’m filling my spare time with gardening, sewing, painting a bureau and my dining room set.

    July 5, 2012 at 9:26 pm
  • MelodyJ

    Reply

    Looks like a good magazine.

    July 6, 2012 at 12:14 am
  • Suz

    Reply

    I love a mag with clear photos and short stories- I have a small attention span! Thanks for the giveaway!

    July 6, 2012 at 2:26 am
  • Wow this magazine looks awesome! I am a traditional quilter, but I love the new modern fabrics. Can there be more about the marriage of the two??

    July 6, 2012 at 5:19 am
  • I love to check out all of the new magazines so I can recommend them to fellow quilters.

    July 6, 2012 at 7:55 am
  • Wanda

    Reply

    I love to read articles about quilting and the history or reason a quilt is done a certain way. I love to learn about other quilters, oh and I love, love, love to have a sneak peak into their studios!!!!
    I’m working on some baby quilts! Thanks for the giveaway!!

    July 6, 2012 at 12:15 pm
  • I like your table runner! so cheerful – thanks for the chance to win!

    July 6, 2012 at 3:26 pm
  • I am new to quilting (2 yrs) and I just love picking up new ideas. Thanks for the chance to win and I love your table runner! Judith, Texas

    July 8, 2012 at 12:13 pm
  • Evelyn

    Reply

    I would like to learn about the creative processes others use that go into the designing of their quilts to help me make my quilts that are not just cookie cutter copies of someone elses works.

    July 8, 2012 at 3:10 pm
  • Bridget Butler

    Reply

    Wow, so exciting, thanks!

    July 8, 2012 at 5:37 pm
  • I like to get ideas from magazines which I can incorporate into my own thing.

    July 8, 2012 at 7:19 pm
  • love the colorful table runners! i love seeing quilts, table runners, blocks and any type of photography in mags. Would love to win.

    July 9, 2012 at 3:49 am
  • kathy h

    Reply

    I would like to see more examples of modern quilts. I am usually a traditional quilter but am wanting to make some modern quilts now.

    July 9, 2012 at 6:27 am
  • I love to see new and unique ideas. So much of what I see is a redo or a remake and, just like the years of movie remakes, I get bored with them. Thank you for the chance to sin this new and hopefully unique magazine. Take care and God bless, Cory

    July 10, 2012 at 9:15 am
  • Shelley C

    Reply

    You did a terrific job on that quilt!!!! I was given some older ‘dated’ fabric and I am stymied as to how to use it up…yours was inspiration in itself!

    July 16, 2012 at 2:18 pm

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