#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

[LINDA]

Beautiful ice cream quilt concept. I can just taste my favourite-chocolate featuring on a fun table place mat.
Thanks for sharing.

[Sandy]

I do like a real good Cookies 'n' Cream. : )

[Linda Dixon]

My favorite icecream is Blackcherry hands down! Its great anytime of year!

[Carol]

Enjoyed your blog!

[Jeanette]

I think I like strawberry the best. I love your design and it is awesome to get included in their magazine. One of my daughters usually gives me a copy of the magazine but so far not one has thought of me.

[usairdoll]

Congratulations on having your block in Vol.8 !! So pretty! I have not had gelato either, one day. My favorite ice cream is from Baskin Robbins called Gold Medal Ribbon. I discovered it on a 100 degree day when I was pregnant with my daughter and have been enjoying ever since, hehe.

Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

[Alice M]

Congratulations on your block!! It's so cute!!!

[Kaye M]

Your block is darling and so creative. I loved reading your post about all the decisions that went in to designing your block! I appreciate the process that you went through, thanks for sharing.

[Sue Lord]

Very refreshing quilt block. Love the colors.

[Joan Hanson]

I really enjoyed your block. My favorite ice cream is Buttered Pecan. Yum !!

[Laurie P]

I love vanilla the best. It goes with anything. You can make all kinds of flavors using vanilla. I also love how it tastes with apple pie and blackberry cobbler. Yum! Congrats on being published in the magazine.

[Tammy Hammond]

Rocky road is probably my home base, but I also really like Huckleberry also!

[Nancy]

Love your block! Looks good enough to eat!!!!

[Debra R]

Very cute block and congratulations on being selected.

[Marianne]

Tasty looking block.
Chocolate is my favorite.

[Linda]

Vaniglia. Absolutely love this flavour of gelato. I spent some time in Italy in my twenties and believe me, I got to taste lots of flavours. The ones on the island of Sicily are THE BEST!!!!!!! Thanks for the chance to win.

[kaylace]

I think stopping strangers on the street is an acceptable behavior :)

since I'm a lacemaker... I think you should have kept the lace trim on at least one cone., there's no such thing as too much lace)

Spumoni ice cream...love that stuff. I don't keep it in the house, but think of reason to go eat Italian just so I can order dessert :)

Kaylace

[nmoir]

mine is orange or lemon

[Colette]

There is a frozen custard stand near where my DH works and their vanilla chocolate swirl is divine! Super cute block.

[Loriann]

I haven't had gelato very often, but my favorite that I have had is mango.

[Bonnie Pfrimmer]

Your block looks good enough to eat!! Beautiful work. My favorite ice cream is orange sherbet. It is so refreshing after a meal. Thank you for sharing your block with us.

[Tiffany]

I'm so happy you're in the 100 blocks magazine! The very first quilting magazine I ever bought (that might have started this whole quilting hobby) was the 100 blocks issue last year around this same time. I oooed and awwwed over all the marvelous techniques and I didn't know how to do any of them. For Christmas I got a sewing machine and a subscription to Quiltmaker magazine, which is how I heard about your S is for Stitch book (I'm now on letter J) and blog!
My favourite ice cream flavour is probably moon mist, it's an east coast flavour I miss desperately here in Alberta!

[Patty]

Never had gelatto, but my favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip!

[Elaine]

Mint chocolate chip always calls my name but plain ole chocolate has been talking awfully loud lately!

[Tami Chaulk]

Congratulations on having your block published! I think your block is delightful! My favorite ice cream is pistacchio and you're got it first on you block!

[Brenda V]

Love this pattern! Favorite gelato? HMMMM Lots of them! But a hazelnut or caramel is always a top choice.

[Lyn Kaufmann]

Ice Cream flavour: Dulce de Leche.
Love the process your entry paper went through....that's the same way things work on my desk.
Your block is priceless and reminds me of outtings with my kids.
Thanks for the ideas and giveaways.
Lyn

[Carmen]

Yummy block, so beautiful. Favourite flavour? Leche merengada.

[Sharon Groves]

My favorite ice cream is Dutch Chocolate by Bluebell. Homemade Vanilla is a tight second. I have never been anywhere that had gelato, but have been curious about it. Thanks

[Judith]

Love your block and it looks so good I can just taste the peppermint stick on the one with the mint leaves. Must go to the store and pick up some.

[Adrianne]

Personally, I'd have to go 'Raspberry.' I just love berries!! We grow our own blackberries and blueberries ... just a couple of bushes of each, so we can have our own. But the 'Raspberry' really won me over!

[Pam C]

I love the fabrics you choose in all of your work. The embroidery is beautiful.

[margaret schindler]

Love butter pecan and I love your block. So glad you entered it.

[MaryG]

I just love this block.... so cute and playful! I may have had gelato before but I don't remember any favorite. But ice cream it's always decadent chocolate..... therefore I only indulge occasionally.

[helenmarie in Tn]

cute block!! I'm ready for summer to come back! LOL!! Lemon sorbet would be my all time favorite!

[Debbie]

Your block looks delicious. So cute. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Lorri]

like the idea of mixed tec- looks yummy

[Rachel]

Rocky Road of course :) Cute block, original idea :)

[lori S]

I love citrus flavored gelato. Pink Grapefruit is so refreshing! Thanks for the chance to win!

[Mary Kastner]

Your gelato block is really cute -congratulations. My favorite is peanut butter. Thanks for the chance to win.
Mary

[Cynthia H.]

ANY flavor of gelato is okay by me….except Peanut Butter…cannot imagine that in a cold dessert :). Thanks for the giveaway!

[Nancy Angerer]

Your block is darling -- I really like the fabrics you used for it. I love chocolate and would love a chocolate ice cream with yummy chocolate pieces and brownie pieces in it right now:)

[Terry H]

Congrats on the block being included. It is so cute and would make a wonderful summer table runner. Thanks for participating in the blog hop

[Kalynn]

Would love to win this fun book

[Pam]

I love anything berry or cherry.

Love your block. I haven't gotten too adventurous beyond piecing but really want to.

Thanks for being part of the giveaway!!

[Rhonda D.]

You're making me hungry for Butter Pecan Ice Cream (my favorite). Your block is SEW cute!

[Julie T]

Your block is so cute! And I love that you used different techniques - especially the embroidery. I like chocolate gelato.

[Liz]

My friend Darla makes a wonderful pineapple ice cream that is vegan.
Your block makes my mouth water.

[Penny M]

Lemon is always nice, but my favorite is Black Raspberry Swirl ice cream with dark chocolate chunks.

[Mary]

What a cute block my granddaughter would appreciate.
I have not yet experienced gelalo since someone else here only likes mundane - but soon.