#737

A long long time ago in a land far far away my little sewing room here, I got it in my head that I wanted to design a block for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Magazine. 

Fine.  Nice dream.  Whatever.  Probably won't ever happen.

Then at Quilt Market last year, I happened to pick up an entry form. 

I brought it home.

It sat on my desk.

It got buried.

I found it.

I shoved it in a drawer.

It got buried again.

I found it again.

I pondered.

I got an idea.

I made (a few) test blocks.

I didn't like them.

I put them aside.

They got buried.

I found them.

I tried again.

And then a block was born. :)

I submitted it and then didn't hear anything for a very long time.  In fact, I thought my block hadn't made the cut.  But then many months later, I got a surprise email saying that "Gelato Italiano" would be published after all, as block #737. 

(Thank you for the photo PamKittyMorning!!!  I didn't get my copy in the mail yet ...)

My block ended up in the "mixed technique" section of the magazine because I used foundation paper piecing for the cone (or you can use templates), machine applique for the gelato and garnishes (or you can do it by hand), and then of course embroidery.

Now I know it looks like a fairly simple design at first glance.  And it really isn't difficult to make.  But you would not believe how much I hemmed and hawed and thought and thunk about every last detail - what fabrics to use, what order they should go in, should I use checks for all of the cones ...

how many mint leaves should there be, what flavour do they taste best with and what side should they go on ...

what fabric would be good for those little wafer stick cookie thingies that I've never had and don't know what they're called but saw lots of when I googled "gelato flavours". 

I think my very favourite part of this block is the stripey fabric I used for the stick cookie.  Seriously.  That thing makes me deliriously happy.  You would have carted me off to the funny farm if you'd watched me trying to get the exact right angle of the print on the cookie, and then the exact right angle of the cookie in the gelato. 

But one man's insanity is my salvation.

Oh, and can you believe I've never even had gelato?  I hear you have to go to Italy to really appreciate it -  there on the Spanish Steps, like Audrey Hepburn.

And then I thought it would be cute to embroider the flavours - in Italian - which I don't speak.  What words would look best in embroidery? 

• frutti de bosco = "fruit of the forest", like blackberries
• lampone = raspberry
• pistacchio = ... uh, I won't sport with your intelligence here

What font looks the nicest?  What fabric colours best represent those flavours?

Oy yoy yoy.  I've designed entire quilts that were less stressful than this block.  I think I would have fretted less if Oprah were coming over.

Here's one of the rejects, with lace trim.  I decided to ditch the lace even though I like it ... didn't want to risk going overboard.  There comes a point where discretion is the best idea.

And that red check/dot print on the bottom ... I hope it looks like a tablecloth in a little Italian cafe.  That was the idea, anyways.  I was inspired by the spaghetti scene from Disney's "Lady & The Tramp".  (My sister and I had the read-a-long record when we were kids and I know that song by heart.)

Anyhow, I mailed this block last January and seeing it now in the magazine makes me smile.  A lot.  Maybe a little too much.  Would it be ok if I carried it around with me in my purse and stopped strangers on the sidewalk and in the grocery store to show them?  No?  That would be obnoxious?  Ok.  I probably won't do that.  But I will send an autographed copy to my mom.   

Now the lovely people at Quiltmaker's Magazine asked me to do a little giveaway for a copy of this very inspiring issue (the eighth!) to one of you.  If you'd like to enter, just leave a comment telling me your favourite flavour of gelato.  Or ice cream.  Or frozen yogurt if you're a health nut.

UPDATE:  Giveaway ended.

And go here to find a list of the other bloggers with a block in this issue too!  They're also doing giveaways.  My sweet friend PamKittyMorning is in.  But that's no surprise because she's been in EVERY issue!  She's my hero. :)

Comments

[Cornelia]

i totally love your block and i love vanilla gelato
love your embroidery

[Christine B.]

Hi Kristyne! I think your block is delightful!! My favourite ice cream flavour is coconut! Or 'noce di cocco' in italian!

[Sally Bramald]

My favourite flavour is strawberry (distantly remembered from childhood memories in France). Please don't enter me in the draw, the postage would be silly.
I am just so pleased to find someone else who agonises over the details as much as me, lols.

[Gail]

Vanilla by Green & Blacks, with lots of real vanilla pods and essential oil!

I'm fairly new to your blog ( thank you Pinterest and Helen Phillips!) and LOVE the fact that we share so many fabric placement rules. :) Am starting reading from the beginning (am just about to start August 2011) and hugely enjoying your stash weight loss adventures. I just wish I knew how you get all your points aligned so neatly.

Conratulations on getting your block published.

xx

[Liz]

Caramelito. Delicious. Just like your block :-)

[Deb k]

Love the block. Chocolate. Definitely chocolate.

[Irena Kuper]

Very nice block, I like a veriaty of technics you've used.
Regarding the ice creem, I am in love with all kinds of strawbary.

[susie]

such a pretty block with gorgeous fabrics - well done and congratulations. Lots of publications now.

[AmandaA]

Salted caramel - just gorgeous, like your block!

[Wendy]

My favourite is raspberry ripple but vanilla comes a close second. Love the block congratulation on getting it published. xxx

(Not sure if this giveaway is open to people in England but I am just happy to join in the commenting fun if it isn't.)

[greenrabbitdesigns]

Congratulations #737!!!!
It is lovely, I'm a huge fan of ice-cream...LOVE IT !! I have had gelato in an Italian pavement cafe and it was vanilla....my favourite! :)
V x

[Darlene]

Your block is beautiful! Congrats! Chocolate gelato from Presidents Choice, yummy!!!!

[Sherry V]

Congratulations! Your block looks good enough to eat.

[Sigrid]

I just love your block. A BIG Congratulation on your block being chosen for the book!
I've never had gelato, but my favorite ice cream is Maple Walnut!!

[Sarah]

I always enjoy the pretty things you show us, and you've outdone yourself here! My current favorite indulgence is "Cherry Garcia" by Ben and Jerry's. Have to have it at least once a week!

[krislovesfabric]

Strawberry :) And your block is gorgeous, I love the cookie stripe too!

[Mary Ellen]

Stratiatella - kind of a chocolate ripple - is my favorite. I like to say it. It's a fun word. Runner up is limone.

[Ellyn]

lemon. always lemon! love your beautiful block

[Lynelle]

It's funny how our minds work to create something new. The time it took for you to make this with your own signature style! Every last detail! And then knowing when to stop(lace on the cone) Your block was a success because it's all in the details! Love it!

[Michelle G]

Congratuations on your block. Very pretty!! And the detail, so you...

Lemon is my favourite.

Thanks for the chance to win!

[Marca Fritzemeier]

Years ago, Baskin Robbins used to make chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream. I don't think there's a flavor now that's as good.

[Joan]

Congratulations! Your block is so cute. I love it! My favourite would be strawberry.

[carol]

Coffee ice cream with chocolate syrup

[Mary Jo Jones]

Congratulations...I am so happy for you! Love your block! My favorite is vanilla...altho any flavor is always good.

[Sandi]

Your block is adorable! When we go to a favorite Italian Restaurant, I always get spumoni gelato. Love it! Thanks for a chance to win.

[kim]

Congratulations, your block is beautiful!! I like all natural Vanilla Bean, that way I can add whatever topping (be it sauce, fruit, or pie) to it for a mouthful of flavor.

[Michelle Klingaman]

What a cute block! So refreshing !!! I love the combination of techniques.

[Michelle Klingaman]

What a cute block! So refreshing !!! I love the combination of techniques.

[Lee]

Congratulations! A sweet block! My favorite gelato is raspberry!!

[Missie Carpenter]

Darling block! Congrats and thanks for the chance to win!

[Emma's Daughter]

No. It's gotta be ice cream with all the calories and definitely CHOCOLATE! Love your block! Rcoyle at olemiss dot edu

[Betsy]

I love it.nsuch creativity

[Jennifer B]

Strawberry! Just love your block!

[Lee Ann Lenfest]

What an adorable block. I'd say my current favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate mint (or mint chocolate chip).

[Kathryn Knox]

Butter Pecan ice cream!!! I really like your block, it's so unique!

[Glyn]

Congrats! Your block is soooo cute!
Love chocolate chip ice cream!

[Jeanne in Ohio]

I love your block! Congratulations on following your dream and becoming a part of the 100 Blocks sorority!

[Donna Joy]

Thanks for telling us all about your block, it gives the block more personality when I hear the story behind it. Love your stripped cookie. Pineapple coconut would be tasty.

[Wilma Searcy]

I would love to visit Italy and enjoy some pistacchio gelato!
What a cute block!

[Maureen]

Ohhh, I love your block...it's so pretty! My favourite gelato is lemon. Thanks so much for a chance at the give-away.

[Jeanne Gwin]

Love your block and choice of fabrics. I can't imagine why you had doubts, your block is very worthy of being in the magazine. Congratulations

[debbie rhodes]

So delicious... I have always wanted to try Gelato but have never come across any!... I love raspberry sherbet

[Dana]

I've never had gelato, but when I make it to Italy I'll try it in raspberry :)

[Quilting Tangent]

Real Vanilla ice cream.

[Kathy]

I love all things ORANGE!!! kathleendotlutzatcomcastdotnet

[Mary Hayes]

Ahhh real gelato of any flavor...I miss it so much!

[Shawn]

Chocolate without a doubt.
Thanks for the chance to win.

[Diane Bowron]

It's a very pretty block, with lots of colour combinations. My favourite flavour is vanilla.

[Sharon Green]

I understand your process for making this lovely block!! It is good to know that you put so much thought into it. Thanks for sharing.

[Janice]

My sisters and I were quilting yesterday and agonizing about which color should be by what block. We decided that only another quilter would understand that it takes as long to make decisions as it takes to quilt it. You just proved us right. As for ice cream, my favorite at Christmas has to e gingerbread. It's wonderful and only comes out over the holidays.